May 31st is marked every year as World No-Tobacco Day. Learn how your body benefits when you ditch cigarettes and embrace a smoke-free life.
World No-Tobacco Day is a day to recognize the dangers of smoking. While everyone knows smoking is bad for you, quitting can be incredibly rewarding. Let’s delve into some of the amazing transformations your body undergoes when you finally ditch cigarettes for good.
1. Breathe Quicker and Easier: Reclaim Your Lung Power
Think of your lungs as a combat zone. Your cilia, which resemble tiny hairs, are the lung ninjas that work tirelessly to rid your airways of mucus. Smoking complicates matters by undermining these little fighters. But hey, what do you know? When you give up, your cilia begin their grand trip back to health! They’ll be back to their superhuman power in a few weeks, able to clear mucus and help you breathe easily.
You will quickly become a breathing machine and experience no more chronically short of breath or hacking coughs! Did you know that ex-smokers with COPD, a chronic lung disease, may even benefit from improved lung function according to several recent studies? It is never too late to start reaping the rewards.
2. Hug Your Heart: A Significant Improvement in Your Health
For your heart, smoking is the number one public enemy. The good news is that it’s as simple as pressing the reset button to stop smoking. Your blood pressure and heart rate begin to decrease in just one day. Your chance of developing coronary heart disease drops by half after a year without smoking! It’s similar to giving your heart a high five – it will be thankful for your body’s increased oxygen and circulation.
3. Actually Taste the Rainbow: A Sensational Explosion Is About to Happen
Tobacco smoke deceives your sense of taste and smell. Your senses are dulled, so even the tastiest meal tastes boring. The interesting aspect is that you’ll have a sensory explosion a few days after quitting! Scents will become richer and more vibrant, and food will come alive with flavor. Imagine being able to fully enjoy the aroma of fresh flowers or the subtle notes in your daily coffee. The best kind of flavor (and fragrance) trip can be experienced when quitting!
4. Radiant From Within: Unveil Your Inner Beauty
Smoking can cause significant damage to your skin; it speeds up the aging process and dulls your complexion. But when you give up, a strange thing occurs. Increased blood flow provides your skin cells with a boost of nutrients and oxygen. This results in skin that looks younger and healthier. Smoking’s harmful effects may even begin to undo themselves with time, leaving you with a brilliant, natural glow. That pricey anti-aging cream might not be necessary after all!
Giving up smoking is an investment in your health and well-being.
Giving up harmful habits like smoking or drinking alcohol can be difficult initially, but, it will benefit you eventually. In fact, it is something you can and should do for yourself and your family.
Numerous resources, such as support groups and nicotine replacement treatment, are available to assist you on your journey. Remember that you’re not doing this alone! See your physician, make a quit buddy, and celebrate each day you go smoke-free.
