Why should you quit smoking now? There may be many reasons, but the decisive reason should of course be your health. It is not easy to give up your smoking habit. After all, it is part of your life and at times you have become really attached to your cigarette. Yet it is certainly worth it in the short and long term. Your health will gradually improve and you will also save a fair amount of money every year. So in principle, quitting smoking only has advantages. It is up to the smoker to show the willpower to quit smoking.
Improving your health in the short term
If you stop smoking you will immediately notice some positive changes for your health. In fact, after eight hours the oxygen concentration in your blood increases, which reduces the risk of a thrombosis or heart attack. After 24 hours, the carbon monoxide from the cigarette leaves your body and the lungs start removing tar and mucus. After about 3 days your body is completely free of nicotine, which means you will smell, taste and taste better. The nice effect after about 6 weeks is that your blood will circulate better in your body, which means that strenuous exercise or sports will go much more smoothly.
Improving your long-term health
- There are of course many advantages in the longer term. You won’t notice it immediately, but you can reap the benefits far in the future. Anyone who stops smoking will have the same risk of a heart attack after 4 years as a non-smoker. The risk of a stroke after about 4 years is also the same as that of a non-smoker.
- The risk of lung cancer gradually decreases. It takes about 10 to 30 years before the risk of lung cancer can be equated with a non-smoker.
- The cilia on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract will also recover. The cilia are responsible for keeping all dust particles and viruses out of your body.
You will look better
In general, you will look much better after quitting smoking. The blood circulation in your skin will be much better, making you look fresher than ever. Gum infections will not occur and your teeth will eventually look white again. Moreover, your ugly yellow fingers will finally disappear. But the most important thing is that you will smell nice and fresh again. Smokers carry a real smoker’s odor. By quitting smoking, this unpleasant odor will disappear.
Your home will become more pleasant and fresher
By quitting smoking, your house will now smell very fresh. No more that smell of cigarettes or cigars hanging around your house. The curtains will also retain their original white color, just as they were purchased. In addition, it also becomes more pleasant for other people to visit your home. Some people find it really annoying to come into a house with a smoke smell. It is quite possible that these people will come by more now than was the case in the past.
A better and faster pregnancy
Women who smoke have a harder time getting pregnant than non-smoking women. Another disadvantage of smoking women is that they are said to have more miscarriages, as well as premature births. When you stop smoking, male and female fertility improves significantly. In men, sperm cells will increase in number and become more active. Motile sperm cells are a must for fast and smooth fertilization. Another advantage for the man is that his testosterone levels increase and the blood vessels in the penis will flow better, making his erection firmer.
Children of non-smoking parents are healthier
Children of smoking parents are much more susceptible to respiratory infections. These children are also at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. In general, the health of your children will improve and the fewer visits to the doctor will therefore save you quite a bit of money. The children of smoking parents are also fatter.
Financially a real windfall
Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money. If you were to smoke a pack every day, it would cost approximately 2,600 annually (based on 2018 data). This is a lot of money that you can ultimately do something else with. You could perfectly spend this budget on a relaxing holiday with your partner or family.
Tips for quitting smoking and sticking with it
- If you feel like having a cigarette, try not to immediately give in to the temptation. The impulse in your brain that makes you want a cigarette disappears very quickly. Do something else quickly so that you don’t have time to think about the urge to smoke.
- Be proud of yourself if you have been off nicotine for a while. Think to yourself that you have really put a lot of effort into it and that you really want to keep it up.
- It is best to avoid situations in which you know that it will make you crave a cigarette. For example, if you feel like having a cigarette after a cup of coffee, try to avoid that cup of coffee. If you notice that drinking a lot of water helps you stay away from nicotine, it is best to drink as much water as possible.
