There are long- and short-term health benefits of quitting smoking. Learn how your body changes over time after you stop.
Stop smoking now, and see the benefits.
Cigarettes contain nearly 7,000 chemicals. A large percentage of these are harmful and cause cancer. Quitting smoking is no easy feat, but the rewards are great. Here are short-term and long-term health benefits of quitting:
Short-term benefits of quitting smoking
- Within 20 minutes of your last cigarette, your heart rate will begin to return to normal levels
- In two hours, your circulation will improve, causing your fingertips and toes to feel warm again as blood flows more easily
- After 24 hours, your risk of heart attack will begin to decrease
- In 48 hours, the nerves in your nose and tongue will repair themselves, allowing your senses of smell and taste to improve
- One month after quitting, your breathing will begin to feel easier and physical activity will feel less strenuous
Long-term benefits of quitting smoking
- After one year, your risk of heart attack decreases by half
- Two to five years after quitting, your risk of stroke drops to the level of a nonsmoker
- In 10 years, your risk of lung cancer decreases by half
Quitting smoking also leads to higher energy and boosts your immune system. Many people use smoking as a coping mechanism for stress. However, studies show your stress level decreases after you quit smoking. Your skin and nails also return to normal because of increased blood flow. Finally, you will save $200 to $500 each month just by cutting out smoking.
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