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Do You Really Know What Happens After You Quit Smoking? Cancel The title field is required!

1. merline, quit coach

   

   132 posts
   Registered:
   12 Sep 2018
   07 Feb 2019

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   It isn’t always easy to remain smoke-free, but when you’re thinking about giving up, remember some of the many health milestones you can experience after quitting!
   
   20 minutes after your last cigarette
   Your blood pressure and pulse will start to return to more normal levels.
   
   8 hours after your last cigarette
   Your carbon monoxide levels will return to a more normal level.
   
   24 hours after your last cigarette
   You’ve already decreased your risk of heart attack.
   
   48 hours after your last cigarette
   You may also start to notice that senses that were previously dulled due to smoking improve. You may realize you’re smelling and tasting things better than you were before.
   
   72 hours after your last cigarette
   You’ll often find yourself breathing more easily.
   
   One week after your last cigarette
   The one-week milestone is important not only for your health, but for your success rate in quitting smoking successfully long term. Smokers who successfully make it one week without smoking are nine times as likely to successfully quit.
   
   Two weeks after your last cigarette
   You may start to notice you’re not only breathing easier. You’re also walking easier.
   
   One month after your last cigarette
   You can experience many health changes related to stopping smoking. One is feeling a sense of heightened overall energy.
   
   Three months after your last cigarette
   A woman can improve her fertility as well as reduce the risk that her baby will be born prematurely.
   
   Six months after your last cigarette
   Many people often notice they’re better able to handle stressful events that come their way without feeling like they need to smoke.
   
   One year after your last cigarette
   Your lungs will have experienced dramatic health improvements in terms of capacity and functioning.
   
   Three years after your last cigarette
   Your risk of a heart attack has decreased to that of a nonsmoker.
   
   Five years after your last cigarette
   Your risk of death from lung cancer has dropped by half compared to when you smoked.
   
   15 years after your last cigarette
   Your risk for heart attack and stroke has decreased to equal that of a person who’s never smoked before.
   
   Everyone finds different benefits to quitting. What are yours? Share with other quitters on Smokers’ Helpline Online or call a Smokers’ Helpline Quit Coach at 1-877-513-5333 (toll-free).
   
   Best Regards,
   
   

   Last modified on 07 Feb 2019 16:12 by merline, quit coach
2. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   14 Feb 2019 in reply to merline, quit coach

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   As with many others I tried to quit many times in the past, and always gave up within 3-5 days, never having made it to the 1 week mark before. This time I really did my homework reading up about quitting, what to expect, etc. I was determined. When first getting ready to quit the benefits of quitting were secondary to the fears of withdrawal, life without smoking, etc. 
   
   So 6 weeks into my quit, and WOW, it is really amazing how much better i feel overall. I really did not expect to be skipping up stairs without wheezing, breathing through my nose with no sinus issues,  more energy, more time to do things, feel generally healthier. 
   
   I had no idea how much smoking was sapping my physical energy from me. 
3. efreeman75

   

   296 posts
   Registered:
   02 Apr 2018
   14 Feb 2019

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   My wife would like to add to that list that I don't snore anymore - or not as much at least!!!
   
   I think she over-exaggerates, but I do wake feeling much more rested and energized.
   
4. emily, quit coach

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   16 Feb 2019

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   Hi atp and efreeman75,
   
   So happy to hear how much better you both are feeling!!
   
   The benefits of quitting smoking are endless.
   
   Emily