Why Should I Quit Smoking?

By Deborah Taylor

There are many health, social and financial benefits to quit smoking. Some smokers believe that a smoking addiction of many years will not bring any tangible results, apart from financial benefits, so they disregard any thoughts about quitting smoking. The fact is that even the most addicted of smokers will benefit from smoking cessation.

Immediate health benefits can be achieved such as a return to normal blood pressure, body temperature and pulse 20 minutes after smoking the last cigarette; within eight hours the oxygen and carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal and in two days nerve endings start to regrow. By three months, lung function has increased and circulation has improved.

There are also benefits to any non-smokers when you quit smoking. Non-smokers are also exposed to 4,000 chemicals when they breathe other people's tobacco smoke. Secondhand smoking can affect your children; they are more likely to get chest illnesses, ear infections, wheezing and childhood asthma, tonsillitis and to smoke themselves. Exposing people around you to secondhand smoke will put them at risk of the same diseases as you.

Common withdrawal symptoms such as tobacco craving, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating affect smokers to varying degrees in their quest to quit smoking. Increased appetite is also common; you can gain 5 to 7 pounds, and dizziness and fatigue may occur as well. In the first 3-4 days the symptoms are most intense, but these reduce to just one within 20 days.

While trying to quit smoking is hard, it is not impossible and there are some very good products, which have high success rates, on the market. When choosing a method for you, bear in mind that tobacco addiction has both a physical and psychological component. For most people, a combination of medications, a change in personal habits and emotional support are critical to their efforts to quit smoking.

Regardless of whatever method you choose to quit smoking there are some basic things you can do to support your efforts. Focus on the present and deal with just one craving at a time. Drink plenty of water as it will help you feel better and flush the nicotine out of your body. For three weeks avoid alcohol because it affects your judgment and without thinking about it you are more likely to smoke. Get plenty of sleep because it can keep up the motivation and you'll feel better. Warm showers are also a great way to relieve tension.

To make it easier to quit smoking, keep focused. Don't try to give up everything all at once. It will be harder to be successful if you try to stop smoking, change your diet and stop drinking coffee at the same time!

Visit Deborah's blog which has information, tips and support for people who want to quit smoking.