A quit smoking calendar is a very handy thing. This is a great tool that motivates a person who wants to quit a bad habit. In general, it is quite difficult to quit smoking, but it is quite possible.
For people who suffer from nicotine addiction, a special calendar has been developed, which lists by day all the positive changes in the human body that occur after smoking cessation. Moreover, the diary contains not only the physiological, but also the emotional aspect.
First week since quitting cigarettes
If you quit smoking, you will notice changes every day. Moreover, they are so pronounced that a person will immediately pay attention to them.
First day
On the first day of quitting smoking, the concentration of carbon monoxide, which was previously contained in human blood, gradually begins to decrease. Due to this, the transport capacity of erythrocytes is significantly improved. After that, more oxygen enters the cells of various tissues of the whole body.
Already on the first day of quitting smoking, mood improves noticeably. The person feels joy at the decision. He is confident and proud that he was able to cope with a difficult task. He is fully confident that this decision is final. At this time, the person has practically no craving for cigarettes or is not felt at all. In addition, on the first day, it is enough just to get distracted from this and do your usual everyday worries. But at the same time, slight dizziness and weakness may appear. Sometimes there is a feeling of anxiety, appetite worsens. Some people find it difficult to fall asleep due to sleep problems.
Second day
On the second day, mucus synthesis in the lungs gradually begins to decline. The ciliated epithelium in the lungs is already functioning much better. The first symptoms appear, which indicate nicotine starvation. But at the same time, the cells of the intestinal mucosa begin to be replaced by new ones.
As for the emotional mood, a state of euphoria persists for several days, but some people become nervous and irritable. If you engage in self-hypnosis, then the craving for smoking can gradually be significantly reduced. A person is sometimes very active, then becomes slow and sleepy.
As for physiological manifestations, the appetite is still poor, but some people may have an appetite for foods that are bright and pronounced in taste. A former smoker develops a cough, the attacks of which gradually intensify. Sometimes shortness of breath suffers. There are abdominal pains, the urge to urinate becomes more frequent. Dryness of the skin is felt.
Third day
On the 3rd day, the recovery process of the ciliated epithelium begins. The repair also affects the mucous layers of the bronchi. In the pancreas, more alkaline fractions are secreted, and the amount of mucus in the stomach decreases markedly. The circulation in the heart and brain is improved. The vascular tone is restored. But at the same time, on the third day, the patient becomes nervous. Now "nicotine withdrawal syndrome" is fully manifested. By the way, the appetite rises sharply, you constantly want something sweet.
Fourth day
On the fourth day of quitting smoking, the level of blood flow to the brain is almost completely restored and reaches the physiological norm.
The stomach and pancreas continue to repair itself. The same goes for the lungs.
What happens to the mood after 4 days: the aggressiveness gradually decreases. By the way, nervousness can be stopped with various medications.
The patient may be euphoric or depressed. Some people have high blood pressure, tinnitus, constipation, cough, dizziness. The fingers and toes swell a little.
Fifth day
On the 5th day, superficial microtraumas on the tongue begin to heal. Without nicotine addiction, the tone of the blood vessels returns to normal. Recovery takes place in separate zones of the bronchi and lungs, but the disturbances in the intestines have not yet passed. The food tastes bright again, but there is a lump in the throat and there is still trouble breathing. The fifth day of quitting smoking is considered one of the most difficult, since the euphoria passes, and the state of health does not improve yet. On other days, there is a high risk of breakdown.
Sixth day
On day 6, mucus production in the lower zones of the lungs increases. The cilia on the bronchi can now actively function. The secretory abilities of the pancreas and lungs were almost completely restored.
On the sixth day of smoking cessation, dyskinetic-type disorders in the duodenum and gallbladder may appear. On this day, all white blood cells have already grown without the influence of nicotine.
Withdrawal syndrome manifests itself again: irritability, tearfulness, insomnia. I want cigarettes, it is difficult to hold back, but possible.
Vegetative disorders can be exacerbated. Decreased appetite, maybe even nausea after fatty foods. In addition, increased sweating, hand tremors, thirst, bitterness in the mouth, or a lump in the throat. The body is cleansed and dark mucus is coughing up.
Seventh day
On the seventh day of quitting smoking, the physical phase of addiction to nicotine almost ends. Now the body has rebuilt itself to fully function at a normal level without nicotine supplementation. Full recovery will now begin. The longest rehabilitation will take place for the vessels and lungs. As for the emotional state, on the seventh day of quitting smoking, a person feels empty. Smoking is no longer a physiological need, but only an ordinary daily ritual.
First six months
First month
What happens in the first month after quitting a bad habit? This further restoration of the whole organism, and now at the cellular level.
The cells of the epithelium have been renewed, so now the processes of absorption and production of all substances that are further required for new cells are stabilized, which now function after a person quit smoking and got rid of nicotine addiction.
But psychologically, this month is quite difficult. Some are satisfied with themselves and enjoy life, while others, on the contrary, consider the number of days without cigarettes.
Second month
What happens in the second month after quitting smoking: the cells have already gone through about 2-3 renewal cycles, so this time is the best for women: yellowness and dryness of the skin disappears. But the vascular network is still preserved. This is due to the fact that vascular cells are not yet renewed. The lungs also continue to recover, but these processes have not yet reached the acini - these are the smallest structural elements of the lung tissue. The smoking ritual has not yet completely outlived its usefulness, so from time to time I want to smoke.
Third month
In the third month, there is a full recovery of blood vessel cells. Before that, their tone may be disturbed due to the action of any factors, especially due to stress. But in the third month after quitting smoking, the vascular tone is normalized. By the way, the third month is considered critical, since around this time the physical craving for cigarettes disappears, but some people want to try again, as it was before. At this time, headaches and dizziness have already completely disappeared. The person sleeps well.
Fourth month
What happens in the fourth month? Complete renewal of skin cells, so the complexion now becomes normal, itching, dryness and flaking disappear.
The work of the pancreas, stomach, and liver in former smokers returns to normal, so that food is well absorbed. The same goes for the intestines.
The appetite is stabilized, as the stress after quitting smoking disappears and there is no desire to constantly eat sweets.
Fifth month
In the fifth month after quitting smoking, the most difficult thing is the liver, only at the end of this month restoration begins in some cells of this organ. After that, healthy cells can take on some of the functions from dead neighbors. The lungs continue to recover. The phlegm is either absent or much less than when you just quit smoking. The urge to smoke occurs only occasionally, but this will continue until 10 months after quitting smoking.
Sixth month
Six months ago, a man smoked his last cigarette. For this, the blood in the body was completely renewed, all blood cells were not exposed to the action of nicotine. Now they can fully transport oxygen.
The liver continues to regenerate after quitting smoking.
This will continue for another six months. At this stage, the acini of the lungs also began to recover. Six months after quitting smoking, a person can breathe much easier. Weight has returned to normal. The appetite also becomes normal.
Year from the moment of giving up the bad habit
What's happening in the seventh month? The sense of smell improves. Now a person begins to feel better aromas. The perception of the palatability of food is also noticeably improved.
At the eighth month of quitting smoking, mucus is no longer released when a former smoker coughs, and the cough itself hardly appears. Now the lungs can cope with problems on their own. If a person has already developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, then by the eighth month of quitting smoking, his condition will noticeably improve. The disease goes into a phase of remission, and it will continue for the rest of the time, if the person does not start smoking again.
In the ninth month of quitting smoking, cigarettes no longer cause such an acute desire to smoke. But it is important to learn to control yourself again, as there are many cases when a person automatically starts smoking, thinking about something.
In the tenth month of quitting smoking, some people have realistic dreams where they smoke, but in real life they can easily do without cigarettes. In a dream, smoking is very real, and all sensations are vivid, so the awakening will be painful. It is because of this that many people smoke in the morning. By the way, if a person loves to sing, then it is much easier to control the vocal cords during this period.
In the eleventh month of quitting smoking, a person can easily cope with jogging, brisk walking, strength training and other sports. But the load should be increased gradually. The risk of smoking again is approximately 20-25%.
What happens exactly one year after giving up the bad habit: the body has almost completely recovered. Now the risk of stroke is no more than 30%. The likelihood of a heart attack has decreased by half. The likelihood of developing oncological diseases and liver pathologies decreased by 90%.
Conclusion
If there is a desire to quit smoking, then a smoking cessation diary is the best solution. It will help with motivation, since it does not always come out quickly and easily to give up a bad habit.
But if you read every day what positive changes are taking place in the body, it helps to maintain the trend. In addition, this diary will show what path the person has traveled.