Quitting smoking has many benefits. We have summarized the details for you and offer alternatives to cigarettes.
Quitting smoking brings many health benefits, but your health is not the only thing that improves over time.
Quitting smoking also has a positive impact on your psyche, appearance, and of course, your wallet. If you haven't found the motivation to quit smoking yet, take a close look at the benefits.
Benefits of Quitting Smoking: Health
Smoking can increase the risk of a number of diseases, with cancer, especially lung cancer, being at the top of the list. In addition to cancer, smoking can also contribute to heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, and chronic bronchitis.
But that's not all, as smoking not only worsens health but also reduces quality of life, and studies show that smokers lose an average of 10 years of their lifespan.
What happens in the body?
Just 20 minutes after quitting smoking, your blood pressure returns to normal. After 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in the blood decreases, allowing organs to be better supplied with oxygen. With increasing oxygen supply, performance also improves.
After a few weeks, lung function improves and circulation becomes more stable. After a few months, coughing fits and shortness of breath decrease, and the lungs begin to clean themselves by gradually breaking down mucus.
After several years, the risk of cancer is reduced by half, and the risk of strokes also decreases significantly. After 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is as low as that of a non-smoker. So, it is definitely worth sticking with it.
Benefits of Quitting Smoking: Psyche
Quitting smoking also offers psychological benefits. Withdrawal may initially seem like a mental challenge, as the body and brain have become very accustomed to the daily intake of tobacco. But gradually, you will notice that your mental health improves and that quitting smoking was worth it.
Many smokers find it stressful to constantly have to smoke. The brain and body send signals that it's time for the next cigarette. After quitting smoking, this urge disappears, and withdrawal symptoms diminish over time. Furthermore, you no longer have to constantly search for cigarette vending machines and can focus on other aspects of life.
Lastly, you no longer have to leave the building to smoke. You can spend time in restaurants comfortably with friends or family.
Benefits of Quitting Smoking: Appearance and Finances
Smoking can negatively affect our appearance. Discoloration on nails, fingers, and teeth is a common problem. Additionally, the skin suffers greatly, as the toxic substances in cigarettes attack cells, leading to changes in our complexion and faster formation of wrinkles.
Another important benefit is finances. To get a detailed overview of how much money is spent monthly on cigarettes, you can list the expenses. The money you could save on cigarettes is a great motivator to quit smoking.
Disadvantages of Quitting Smoking: Withdrawal Symptoms
Naturally, quitting smoking represents a major change for the body and does not occur without withdrawal symptoms. To successfully quit smoking, the 7 phases after withdrawal must be overcome. The most common symptoms include increased irritability and aggression.
When the body is no longer supplied with nicotine daily, the brain produces less adrenaline and serotonin, which have a rewarding effect on our psyche. In addition, dopamine, the so-called happiness hormone, is also lacking, which is why many smokers struggle with negative moods after quitting smoking.
In addition, the body may react to withdrawal with headaches, concentration problems, sleep disturbances, increased appetite, and trembling.
The duration of these symptoms varies from person to person and depends on how long they smoked before. According to experiences of former smokers, however, they usually subside after about six to ten days of quitting smoking.
Snus as an Alternative to Smoking
Snus is often used as an alternative to smoking, as the oral use of snus does not involve combustion, and the health consequences compared to cigarettes can be minimized.
Snus is available with different levels of nicotine content, for example, the brand edel has a particularly high content of up to 20 mg/g. In comparison, there are also snus products with less nicotine, such as VELO Spiffy Spearmint Mini with 8 mg/g.
Since a cold turkey approach is recommended for smokers who smoke less than 10 cigarettes a day, snus can be a good alternative for a gradual withdrawal. Snus can even be purchased completely without nicotine, as edel CBD Mint contains no nicotine at all.
