How Long Does it Take for Your Body to Recover from Stopping Smoking?
It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for your body to recover after you quit smoking. While some of the physical effects will fade quickly, others can take months or even years to go away completely.
Physical Effects
The physical effects of quitting smoking can vary depending on how long you smoked and how heavily. Generally, the more heavily you smoked, the longer it will take for your body to recover.
Within a few minutes of your last cigarette, your heart rate and blood pressure will begin to return to normal. After 12 hours, your body’s carbon monoxide levels will be reduced significantly. Within two days, your sense of smell and taste will improve and your ability to breathe will become easier.
After one to three months, your circulation and lung function will improve. Coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath should all become less noticeable. After nine months to a year, your lungs will be working better and you may have less coughing and mucus production.
Long-Term Effects
It can take years for your body to fully recover from smoking. After five years, your risk of stroke is reduced to the same level as a non-smoker. After ten years, your risk of lung cancer is reduced to about half that of a smoker.
Quitting smoking can also help reduce your risk of developing other diseases, including heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Quitting smoking can also reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other complications related to diabetes.
Tips for Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking can be difficult, but there are steps you can take to make the process easier. Make a plan for quitting, set a quit date, and tell your family and friends about your decision. Consider using nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches or gum, to help manage cravings. Avoid triggers that can lead to smoking, such as alcohol and stress.
Seek support from your healthcare provider or a quit-smoking program. It can be helpful to talk to others who are going through the same experience.
Remember, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. It may take time for your body to recover, but the benefits are worth it.