When we get asked ‘when’s the best time to stop smoking’, we’ll always say now. Why? Because then you have more time to improve or even reverse the negative effects of smoking.
For instance, after just 48 hours all carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving.
But the summer might just be the right time for you…
Exercise becomes easier
Long summer nights, brighter weather and more availability for outdoor activities. Naturally, you’re going to want to spend more time outside – that time often revolves around some form of exercise.
After just 72 hours of quitting, breathing can feel easier as your bronchial tubes have started to relax and your energy will be increasing. The better breathing capacity and added energy are likely to make those summertime activities a little more enjoyable.
Gain more money
It’s no secret that smoking is expensive – but have you thought about where else you could be spending this money?
Research from vaping experts IndeJuice revealed, that giving up a pack of cigarettes per day could save you £4,197 a year. That’s a family summer holiday abroad.
By simply imagining yourself on holiday this time next year should provide a healthy dose of motivation – or wherever spending this
Less worry about second-hand smoking
With more time spent outside, you can gain a sense of guilt by inflicting secondhand smoke into the lungs of others. Second-hand smoking can cause the same range of illnesses that affect those who actively smoke (cancer, fertility issues; heart and lung health)
Better physical appearance
Whilst better health is an all-year-round event, the summer social calendar tends to be quite busy. BBQs, weddings, holidays, festivals – you name it! It’s not uncommon to want to look your best for these events, and quitting smoking can help you to achieve that.
Smoking affects the structure of your skin (increasing the likelihood of wrinkles) and it’s colour too, it can become what’s known as a ‘smoker’s face’ – where it appears pale and grey.
Bupa also reports further effects that smoking can have on your appearance:
- being more likely to get acne, with slower healing of skin blemishes or wounds
- bad breath and stained teeth and gums
- damage to your gums leading to loss of teeth
- irritation of your eyes making them appear bloodshot
- staining of your fingers, so they become discoloured and yellow
- earlier greying of your hair
Sleep better
Nicotine is in tobacco products – such as cigarettes. Nicotine is a stimulant which produces various neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, and chemical messengers.
Whilst neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin are associated with happiness and wellbeing – they can also negatively affect your sleep cycle.
Regular smokers are more likely to:
- Take longer to fall asleep once in bed.
- Spend a greater amount of time in bed awake, rather than asleep.
- Sleep for less time overall.
- Spend less time in deep, restorative sleep.
So an absence of cigarettes, and therefore nicotine should leave you with a more restful night’s sleep.
There are plenty more reasons why you could be benefitting mentally, physically and financially from quitting smoking. But whatever reason motivates you to give up, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. There are several ways in which we can support you.