We all know smoking is bad for your health, but exactly how can stopping improve your life? It’s very difficult to quit smoking and for some of us, the feeling we get when we exhale feels too good to give up. For those who need convincing, and for those who need some motivation on your path to being smoke free, here are a few ways your life can get better when you stop smoking.
Breathe More Easily
When you quit smoking, your lung capacity improves by up to 10% within nine months, so you’ll breath much more easily and find yourself coughing less. But stopping smoking is also important for future health too. As lung capacity naturally diminishes as we get older, going smoke free is essential for healthy and active lungs in your twilight years. The effects of smoking aren’t as noticeable in your 20s and 30s, compared to when you’re older. When you reach old age, you don’t want to be coughing and spluttering when you go for a walk, or climb the stairs. So, stopping smoking is key for a better cardiovascular system.
Better Sex
It was concluded in a 2011 study that men who stop smoking get better erections, because the improved blood flow gives you better sensitivity, and the enhanced oxygen levels in your blood, boosts your energy. Also, a survey conducted by match.com revealed that 89% of respondents said they prefer not to date a smoker. So, there’s even fewer reasons to carry on smoking.
Beauty Sleep
Getting back your beauty sleep is a good enough reason to quit. Although less is known about the effects of smoking on sleep, researchers have found that nearly 12% of current smokes have trouble falling asleep and 10.6% wake in the night, as well as 9.5% waking up too early in the morning. Even more interestingly, researchers found that total sleep time was reduced by 1.2 seconds, for each cigarette smoked.
Younger-looking skin
Smoking can lead to premature skin ageing. Although this may seem tame compared to the other more serious impacts of smoking, it is one of the most visible effects. Smoking depletes many nutrients, including vitamin C and oxygen, leaving the skin dry and wrinkled. By stopping smoking, you can slow facial ageing and allow your skin to get the nutrients it needs.
Improved Fertility
Smoking makes it harder to get pregnant, as both male and female smokers have lower fertility levels. Quitting smoking improves the lining of the womb and can make men’s sperm more potent. Those who don’t smoke can still find it difficult to conceive, but becoming a non-smoker improves the chances of getting pregnant through IVF. So, if you’re trying for a baby, stopping smoking could make things much easier.