What happens to your body when you quit smoking
Decided to leave all bad habits behind? Whilst the journey to quitting nicotine isn’t always the smoothest, there are HEAPS of benefits to eradicating smoking from your life.
To give you that lil’ extra bit of motivation, we’ve gathered all the facts for you. Take them in, frame them and refer back to them whenever you feel like going near nicotine.
1. Hair & Complexion look brighter
Your skin improves almost immediately after you have had your last puffs of nicotine. ‘As blood flow gets better, your skin receives more oxygen and nutrients. This can help you develop a healthier complexion. If you stay tobacco-free, the stains on your fingers and nails will disappear. You may even notice your teeth getting whiter’, according to Boots Web MD.
Your hair also sees some serious improvement - quitting boosts growth and promotes overall hair health, leaving you with the locks you’ve always dreamt of!2. Your sense of taste and smell improve
Smoking damages the nerve endings in your nose and month, which ultimately dulls down your senses and inhibits your capabilities to smell and taste. Whenever you decide to quit, these senses gradually return to normal. According to Everyday Health, your ability to smell and taste improves after 48 hours, and goes back to normal and breathing becomes easier after 72 hours.
3. Your teeth get whiter
Giving up smoking majorly benefits overall oral health, not to mention bacteria build up drops as soon as you decide to kick the habit! Even after many years of smoking, the appearance of your teeth can significantly improve, and the risk of gum disease drops drastically.
4. Fatigue and shortness of breath improve
With the oxygen levels in your body returning to normal as soon as 8 hours after you have decided to kick nicotine out of your life, your lungs quickly start to clear out, making you feel more energetic. With your respiratory system in full recovery mode, you can wave goodbye to fatigue and shortness of breath.
5. Stains on fingers and nails disappear
Skin discoloration gradually goes away when you quit smoking. ‘Within weeks, your skin will be visibly benefiting from increased oxygen and antioxidant levels’, according to Nick Lowe MD at the Cranley Clinic. This means you can wave goodbye to stained fingers and nails and watch your hands get a nicotine-free makeover!
6. Your risk of heart attack and stroke decrease significantly
Your heart and lungs start getting better 20 minutes after you’ve had your last nicotine encounter, and it takes 12 hours for the carbon monoxide in your blood to get back to normal. A person who smokes is twice as likely to die from a stroke as a person who does not smoke. After you quit, your risk of stroke slowly goes down over time.
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