If it has been two weeks since youquit smoking, congratulate yourself!
Smoking cessation is definitely a journey (with plenty of bumps along the way).
There’s a lot of healing happening in those two weeks after you quit.
Some benefits may be less noticeable, such as a decrease in blood pressure.
But other changes may be quite obvious, like feeling less winded after climbing a flight of stairs.
Food will taste better.
Your sense of smell will improve.
You won’t feel as breathless anymore.
Other benefits, like lower blood pressure and fewer toxins, will lower your risk of future health problems.
Luckily, these functions begin to normalize pretty quickly after you quit smoking.
Take a deep breath and feel your lungs filling up with smoke-free air.
This easy exercise can serve as a quick reminder of why you decided to kick your nicotine habit.
Carbon monoxide is produced when cigarettes are burned, and inhaled by the person who’s smoking.
Heavy smoking can lead to CO poisoningsymptoms include cognitive distortion and impairment of motor function.
In some cases, CO poisoning is fatal.
Of course, this can vary from person.
Feeling improvement in the mental symptoms, however, may take a little longer.
Especially if smoking was your go-to relaxation strategy, you will likely still begrappling with stressafter two weeks.
After two weeks smoke-free, some peoplestill experience coughingand shortness of breath as well as withdrawal symptoms such ascravings.
Even after the two-week mark, there will still be things thattriggercravingsand that’s normal!
Remember that recovery from smoking isn’t the same for everyone.
If you’re experiencing depression or anxiety as a result of quitting, seek medical attention.
Whiledepressed moodandanxiousnessare common symptoms of withdrawal, if they don’t improve, clinical treatment may be necessary.
You’re probably already noticing plenty of small changes, but remember that things will keep getting better.
The longer you go without nicotine in cigarette smoke, the more health improvements you will experience.
Have patience as your body heals and you relearn a life without cigarettes.
And take pride in how far you’ve already come.
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