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When Blisstree re-launched last week, we hoped to make new friends and keep the old, as the Girl Scout song goes.
In that spirit, we’re bringing back a topic that many readers seem to miss: Smoking. Or, quitting smoking, to be exact. Back in 2006, Blisstree posted a timeline of “What happens to your body when you quit smoking now”. The timeline, posted on cancer.org, is as follows:
20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop. (Effect of Smoking on Arterial Stiffness and Pulse Pressure Amplification, Mahmud, A, Feely, J. 2003. Hypertension: 41:183.)
12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1988, p. 202)
Two weeks to three months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp. 193, 194,196, 285, 323)
One to nine months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp. 285-287, 304)
One year after quitting: Your excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, p. vi)
Five years after quitting: Your stroke risk reduces to that of a non-smoker five to 15 years after quitting.
(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, p. vi)
Ten years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decreases.
(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp. vi, 131, 148, 152, 155, 164,166)
15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker.
(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, p. vi)
Comments on that original post have been rolling in by the hundreds since then, and they still are. Among them are success stories and frustrations, and a solid community that supports each other to help quit. We’d like to invite everyone to continue commenting here. We’ll do our best to post more info on the health benefits of quitting, and various methods to help kick the habit.
We hope you continue to visit Blisstree, but, more importantly, we hope you quit smoking and stay healthy.
HI FELLOW QUITTERS–I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP ON ALL YOUR STORIES–I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME TWICE SINCE I QUIT IN 08–I HAD THE VERY DISTINCT TASTE IN MY MOUTH LIKE I HAD JUST FINNISHED OFF 5 OR SO CIGS—OR JUST CHEWED UP SOME OLD BUTTS FROM AN ASHTRAY—REALLY STRANGE–BUT IT WAS GONE THE NEXT DAY–WELL KEEP IT UP YALL–SUCCESS– and GOD bless you
OH, AND ALSO I CAN TELL IN MORE DETAIL HOW I QUIT
HI GUYS JOHN HERE—I HAVE BEEN READING ALL OF YOUR POSTS–BOY, I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS. KEEP IT UP, AND PRAY ALOT. IF ANY ONE WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME PERSONALY I WILL TRY TO GIVE SOME WORDS OF HOPE. AGAIN THE BEST OF LUCK TO ALL.
Smoking is an addiction. Both physical and emotional.As with any addiction there is no such thing as having “just one “cigarette.Or one drink, or one hit off the crack pipe, etc. I came to the realization that at age 50 I have had nicotine in my system my entire life and even before birth. My mother smoked while pregnant.I lived in a household with 2 adult smokers and received my daily dose of second hand smoke. At 10 I began smoking and by 12 smoked daily.I decided about a year ago that I would commit to quitting while I was 50. On May27th 2010, just 8 days before my 51st birthday I stopped. My Hubby quit with me.I have other friends who quit with a buddy and succeeded.Every time I get an urge,( and boy do I have some strong urges), I tell myself, Sheila, there is NO SUCH THING as just one cigarette for you!.Then, I move a muscle and change a thought. Most of what I battle now is just a life long habit.As my oldest leaves for college in 8 weeks, and my youngest battles a life threatening illness I made a decision to be a healthy person for them as well as others who care for me, but most importantly, because I care about myself! If you’re out there and are thinking about quitting, just do it!!!.. you’re strong enough, brave enough and most certainly smart enough!!! best of luck!!!