Smoking one cigarette can take off 11 minutes from your life expectancy. That, in itself, is a compelling reason to quit. If that isn’t convincing enough, let’s go over how smoking actually affects one’s body, what its benefits are, and how you can take some steps to quit and get on a journey to a healthier life.
Smoking and its effects
The main ingredient in cigarettes is tobacco – which consumed in any form, is considered harmful. Cigarettes and tobacco products contain acetone, tar, nicotine and emit carbon monoxide. These substances can affect your lungs, whole body and the planet.
Years of research have also shown some of the long-term harmful effects of smoking on one’s body. They can be noticed over several years or even immediately. Listed below are some of them:
- Increased anxiety if a cigarette is missed
- Bronchitis and worsening of other conditions like tuberculosis or pneumonia
- Lung cancer
- Heart diseases
- Low immunity
Benefits of quitting
There are many benefits to quitting smoking – monetarily, environmentally and health-wise. Here are some of the reasons for health:
- To lengthen your life expectancy
- Decrease the risk of conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure and cancers
- Protect others from secondhand smoking
- Improve your long-term health benefits, including the speedening of wrinkly skin
How you can quit
Now that we’ve seen what the benefits are, it can be compelling to quit. The first step of quitting is genuinely wanting to quit. Reminding yourself that you should quit to keep yourself safe for your loved ones and protect them from secondhand smoking can help get your mindset there.
Gradually reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke and going for counselling when you face withdrawal symptoms or the need to relapse can help keep you away from it. Make others aware of your decision to quit so they can always stop you if they see you going down that path again.
Quitting can be hard, but it isn’t impossible. Do it for your loved ones, do it for yourself.