The Health Benefits of Becoming Smoke Free

By Sarah Freeman

We all know that smoking is harmful to your health and the best thing to do is quit. However we also know this is easier said than done and massive amounts of willpower are required. There are benefits for your health to quitting irrespective of how long you have smoked, your sex or age. Even if you are suffering from smoking related illness such as heart disease there is still every good reason to give up.

Studies show that your health improves within twenty minutes after quitting. Once you have stopped smoking for at least twenty years your risks will be similar to a non smoker. Your body has the ability to heal from many of the effects of tobacco use, and it can make a substantial recovery.

Once you stop smoking, your pulse rate lowers within twenty minutes. This drops blood pressure and circulation to your feet and hands become normal.

After 12 hours without a cigarette your blood carbon monoxide levels fall sharply.

From the second week to the twelfth week, your heart attack risk lowers. You can breathe better and exercise is easier. Your circulation also improves.

After nine months time, shortness of breath improves and you are coughing much less than before. You have more energy, and experience fewer infections. You are not as congested as in the past.

After a year of being smoke free your risk of coronary heart disease will be reduced by 50% when compared to a normal smoker.

Once you stop smoking for 5 years mouth cancer risks drop dramatically. Your chances for throat cancer are also lower.

If you can quit smoking for a ten year period you have a fifty percent lower chance of getting lung cancer. You also decrease your chances of bladder, kidney, and pancreatic cancers.

Having made it fifteen years without smoking then your risk of death from coronary heart disease is approximately the same as someone who has never smoked in their life.

You enjoy many immediate benefits once you stop smoking. It is not too late for anyone that is a smoker. Aside from better health, your finances will also benefit a great deal, as cigarettes are a very expensive habit. Your social life is likely to improve too. You will no longer smell like stale cigarettes and the food you eat will be more enjoyable.

Today is the day to stop smoking and start the healing process.

About the Author:

To quit smoking with the smokefree cigarette then visit my website, other options also include NRT.