Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make to improve your overall health and well-being, however, you may wonder what happens when you quit smoking. Although it can be hard, the benefits are extensive and well worth the effort and knowing what to expect can make the process easier. Read on to learn what happens when you quit smoking.

Physical Changes

If you stopped smoking right now, within twenty minutes on the quit smoking timeline, your heart rate and blood pressure would drop back to normal levels. By the end of the day, levels of carbon monoxide would have returned to non-smoker levels. The risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and heart attack drops to the same as a non-smoker after fifteen years.

The changes that occur after you quit smoking lead to a longer life. Carbon monoxide, which is caused by smoking cigarettes, along with nicotine and other toxins in cigarettes, create many diseases. You increase the risk of ulcers, more severe versions of colds and the flu, and many types of cancer by smoking. By cutting it out entirely, you increase the likelihood of a long, healthy life.

Mental Changes

What happens immediately after you kick the habit is the appearance withdrawal symptoms. Irritability, depression, and restlessness are the more prevalent reactions, as the body reacts to the loss of nicotine. The loss of smoking time will also result in boredom and quick-temperedness. Many quitters also report headaches and flu-like symptoms, which lessen as time goes on. Smokers are forced to dig down to the reason why they began smoking in the first place, which eases the process of quitting.

Social Changes

Most countries have smoking laws in place, which is limiting smokers by telling they exactly where they can, and can't enjoy their cigarettes. Many restaurants don't even allow smoking within the confines of the building because of the smell and toxicity of the smoke. Smoking causes many very undesirable traits. Smokers smell unpleasant to most people, and even to smokers themselves. Cigarette smoke makes skin, hair, clothes, houses, and mouths smell objectionable. Smelling better is one of the things that happens when you quit smoking, allowing you to move through crowded places with confidence.

Side Effects

What happens when you quit smoking initially depends on the method you use. The nicotine found in cigarettes is highly addictive and you will most likely experience withdrawal symptoms and cravings when you quit. If you quit cold- turkey, the side effects of quitting can be more intense than if you use the assistance of smoking cessation drugs. Withdrawal symptoms may include headache, intestinal distress, tingling of the extremities, sweating, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and weight gain. Remember, these side effects are temporary.

Immediate Benefits

You may wonder what happens when you quit smoking in other areas of your life. Quitting brings about many immediate positive benefits. Your teeth will get whiter, your breath fresher and your skin will appear healthier. Your hair and clothes will no longer smell stale and smoky. In addition, your damaged sense of taste will begin to return to normal and you will enjoy eating food more. You also will no longer have to leave your family and friends to have a cigarette or worry about avoid exposing them to secondhand smoke.

Quit Smoking Timeline

The American Cancer Society has developed a timeline to show what happens when you stop smoking. Within the first 12 hours of quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure drop and carbon dioxide levels return to normal.

Within three months, circulation and lung functions increase. Within nine months, lung function is returning to normal. One year after quitting, the risk of heart disease is cut in half and within five years, the risk of oral, esophagus, and bladder cancers is cut in half and stroke risk is greatly reduced. Finally, ten years after quitting, lung cancer risk is also cut in half.