This month we are asking all our fans and followers to take a healthy step. If you are a smoker, you probably are aware of all the negative repercussions of smoking. But self-shaming is often a terrible motivator for change. Think instead about all the positive aspects of quitting and you may feel more motivated to change your life for the better. You owe it to yourself to feel great!
Did you know…
Immediately after your last
cigarette:
§ No more burns in your clothes,
furniture, and car.
- Your body’s
healing processes begin.
20 minutes after your last
cigarette:
- Your blood
pressure lowers.
- Your hands
and feet warm up.
8 hours after your last
cigarette:
- The carbon
monoxide level in your blood returns to normal.
24 hours after your last
cigarette:
- Your heart
attack risk decreases.
- You are less
short of breath.
- You save
money ($6 per pack).
3 days after your last
cigarette:
- Your family and
friends are happier.
- Your senses
of taste and smell improve.
- Your skin
begins to look and feel better.
- You have
increased energy.
About 1 week after your last
cigarette:
- Your mood
improves.
- You are less
irritable.
2 weeks after your last
cigarette:
- Your
circulation improves.
- Your lung
function increases.
1 to 9 months after your last
cigarette:
- Smoker’s
cough decreases.
- Your lungs’
cleansing function returns to normal.
- Your risk
for infection decreases.
1 year after your last
cigarette:
- Your heart
attack risk is half that of a smoker.
- You’ve saved
$2,190 or more from not buying cigarettes.
- Freedom!
You’re not a slave to smoking any longer.
5 to 15 years after quitting:
- Your stroke
risk is equal to that of a non-smoker.
10 years after quitting:
- Your lung
cancer risk is half that o a smoker.
- Your risk of
cancer decreases (including cancer of the mouth, throat, bladder, etc.).
15 years after quitting:
- Your risk of
heart disease is equal to that of a non-smoker.
Learn more about the benefits of quitting here: http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/smoking/Pages/smoking-facts.aspx
Share your ideas on how to take a healthy step on our Facebook wall or message us on Twitter!
