Happy Friday everyone! Since November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, I thought it would be a good time to talk about smoking cessation. Now I know this is a touchy topic for a lot of people. I’m not going to harp on anyone who smokes. I won’t spend this whole email ranting and raving about how bad smoking is or fill it with all of the horrible statistics about smoking. We all know it’s bad for you and causes all kinds of health issues. That’s just a fact. But what I will do is challenge you to take that first step towards quitting! Here are some encouraging facts about what happens if you stop smoking right now!
20 minutes after your last cigarette:
• Your blood pressure drops to normal.
• Your pulse rate drops to normal.
• Your temperature of hands and feet increases to normal.
• Your blood pressure drops to normal.
• Your pulse rate drops to normal.
• Your temperature of hands and feet increases to normal.
8 hours after your last cigarette:
• Your carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal.
• Your oxygen level in blood increases to normal.
• Your carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal.
• Your oxygen level in blood increases to normal.
24 hours after your last cigarette:
• Your chance of heart attack decreases
• Your chance of heart attack decreases
48 hours after your last cigarette:
• Your nerve endings start to re-grow.
• Your ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
• Your nerve endings start to re-grow.
• Your ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
72 hours after your last cigarette:
• Your breathing becomes easier.
• Your lung capacity increases.
• Your breathing becomes easier.
• Your lung capacity increases.
2 week to 3 months after your last cigarette:
• Your blood pressure improves.
• Your walking becomes easier.
• Your lung function increases up to 30%.
• Your blood pressure improves.
• Your walking becomes easier.
• Your lung function increases up to 30%.
1 to 9 months after your last cigarette:
• You will have a decrease in coughing, sinus congestion and shortness of breath.
• Your body’s energy level increases.
• Your lungs are better able to fight infection.
• You will have a decrease in coughing, sinus congestion and shortness of breath.
• Your body’s energy level increases.
• Your lungs are better able to fight infection.
5 years after your last cigarette:
• Your chance of death from lung cancer decreases.
• Your chance of death from lung cancer decreases.
Doesn’t that sound PROMISING?!! Your risk of a heart attack decreases after only one day!!! How exciting!!!
Quitting smoking is hard stuff, but many people can increase their chances of success with help. Many agencies offer programs to help in this area. You don’t have to do it alone! Next Thursday, November 15th is the Great American Smokeout. The American Cancer Society uses this day to encourage smokers to make a plan to quit or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting - even for one day - smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life.
YOU CAN DO IT!!!
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