A smoking cessation calendar is very useful. This is a great tool that motivates a person who is looking to give up a bad habit. Quitting smoking is generally quite difficult, but it is entirely possible.
For people suffering from nicotine addiction, a special calendar was developed in which all positive changes in the human body that occur after smoking cessation are listed by day. In addition, the diary contains not only the physiological, but also the emotional aspect.
First week since quitting cigarettes
When you quit smoking you will notice changes every day. In addition, they are so pronounced that a person immediately pays attention to them.
First day
On the first day of smoking cessation, the concentration of carbon monoxide that was previously in human blood begins to gradually decrease. This significantly improves the transport capacity of erythrocytes. After that, more oxygen gets to the cells of various tissues throughout the body.
Already on the first day of quitting smoking, the mood improves noticeably. The person is happy about the decision. He is confident and proud to be able to tackle a difficult task. He is completely confident that this decision is final. At this point, the person has practically no craving for cigarettes or is not felt at all. In addition, on the first day, it is enough to distract yourself from it and take care of your usual everyday worries. At the same time, it can lead to slight dizziness and weakness. Sometimes there is a feeling of fear, appetite worsens. Some people have difficulty falling asleep because of insomnia.
Second day
On the second day, the synthesis of mucus in the lungs gradually begins to decrease. The ciliated epithelium in the lungs is already working much better. The first symptoms appear, indicating a lack of nicotine. At the same time, the cells of the intestinal mucosa are replaced by new ones.
As for the emotional mood, a state of euphoria persists for several days, but some people get nervous and irritable. Engaging in self-hypnosis can gradually reduce smoking cravings significantly. A person is sometimes very active, then becomes slow and sleepy.
As for physiological manifestations, appetite is still poor, but some people may have an appetite for foods that are light and flavorful. A former smoker develops a cough, the attacks of which gradually increase. Sometimes shortness of breath suffers. There is abdominal pain, the need to urinate becomes more frequent. Dryness of the skin can be felt.
Third day
On the 3rd day the healing process of the ciliated epithelium begins. The repair also affects the mucous membranes of the bronchi. More alkaline fractions are excreted in the pancreas and the amount of mucus in the stomach decreases significantly. The blood flow to the heart and brain is improved. The vascular tone is restored. At the same time, the patient becomes nervous on the third day. Now the "nicotine withdrawal syndrome" is fully manifest. By the way, appetite increases dramatically, you constantly want something sweet.
Fourth day
On the fourth day after quitting smoking, the blood flow to the brain is almost completely restored and reaches the physiological norm.
The stomach and pancreas continue to repair themselves. The same applies to the lungs.
What happens to the mood after 4 days: The aggressiveness gradually decreases. By the way, nervousness can be stopped with various drugs.
The patient can 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 normalizes again. Recovery takes place in separate zones of the bronchi and lungs, but the disorders in the bowel are not over yet. The food tastes light again, but there is a lump in the throat and there is still difficulty breathing. The fifth day of smoking cessation is considered to be one of the most difficult as the euphoria passes and the state of health does not improve yet. There is a high risk of failure on other days.
Sixth day
On the 6th day, the production of mucus in the lower lung zones increases. The cilia on the bronchi can now function actively. The secretory abilities of the pancreas and the lungs were almost completely restored.
On the sixth day of smoking cessation, dyskinetic disorders can occur in the duodenum and gallbladder. On this day all white blood cells have already grown without the influence of nicotine.
The withdrawal syndrome manifests itself again: irritability, lacrimation, insomnia. I want cigarettes, hard to hold back, but possible.
Vegetative disorders can worsen. Decreased appetite, maybe even nausea after fatty foods. In addition, increased sweating, trembling of the hands, thirst, bitterness in the mouth or a lump in the throat. The body is cleansed and dark mucus coughs up.
Seventh day
On the seventh day of smoking cessation, the physical phase of nicotine addiction almost ends. Now the body has rebuilt to be fully functional at normal levels without nicotine supplementation. The full recovery will now begin. The longest rehabilitation takes place for the vessels and lungs. As for the emotional state, a person feels empty on the seventh day of smoking cessation. Smoking is no longer a physiological need, just a common daily ritual.
First six months
First month
What happens in the first month after ending 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 absorption and production processes of all the substances necessary for new cells are stabilized, which now work after a person quits smoking and got rid of nicotine addiction.
But psychologically this month is pretty difficult. Some are satisfied with themselves and enjoying 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 2-3 renewal cycles, so this time is the best time for women: the yellowing and dryness of the skin will disappear. However, the vascular network is retained. This is because the 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 fully outlived its usefulness, so I would like to smoke from time to time.
Third month
In the third month, the blood vessel cells are completely restored. Before that, their tone may be disturbed due to the action of factors, especially stress. But in the third month after quitting smoking, the vascular tone normalizes. By the way, the third month is considered critical, since it is around this time that the physical craving for cigarettes disappears, but some people want to try again as it was before. At this point, the headache and dizziness have completely disappeared. The person sleeps well.
Fourth month
What happens in the fourth month? Complete renewal of the skin cells so that the complexion is now normal, itching, dryness and flaking disappear.
The work of the pancreas, stomach and liver in former smokers normalizes again, so that food is well absorbed. The same applies to the intestines.
The appetite is stabilized because the stress disappears after smoking cessation and there is no desire to constantly eat sweets.
Fifth month
In the fifth month after quitting smoking, the liver is most difficult. It is only at the end of this month that restoration begins in some cells of this organ. After that, healthy cells can take over some of the functions of dead neighbors. The lungs continue to recover. The mucus is either absent or much less than when you just quit smoking. The urge to smoke is only occasional but persists for up to 10 months after you quit 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 effects of nicotine. Now they can fully transport oxygen.
The liver continues to regenerate after quitting smoking.
This will take another six months. At this point the lung acini also began to recover. Six months after quitting smoking, a person can breathe much easier. The weight has returned to normal. The appetite also becomes normal.
Year from the moment the bad habit is given up
What happens in the seventh month? The sense of smell improves. Now a person begins to feel better flavors. The perception of the palatability of food is also noticeably improved.
In the eighth month after quitting smoking, phlegm is no longer released when a former smoker coughs, and the cough itself hardly occurs. Now the lungs can handle problems on their own. If a person has already developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, their condition will improve noticeably from the eighth month after quitting smoking. The disease enters a remission phase and lasts for the remainder of the time if the person does not start smoking again.
In the ninth month after quitting smoking, cigarettes no longer cause such an acute need to smoke. However, it is important to learn to regain control because there are many cases where a person automatically starts smoking and thinks about something.
In the 10th month after quitting smoking, some people have realistic dreams about smoking, but in real life they can easily give up cigarettes. In a dream, smoking is very real, and all sensations are alive, so awakening will be painful. Because of this, many people smoke in the morning. By the way, if a person likes to sing, then at this time it is much easier to control the vocal cords.
In the eleventh month after quitting smoking, a person can easily cope with jogging, brisk walking, weight training, and other sports. However, the load should be increased gradually. The risk of smoking again is around 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 been cut in half. The likelihood of developing oncological diseases and liver diseases decreased by 90%.
Conclusion
If you want to quit smoking, keeping a smoking cessation diary is the best solution. It helps with motivation as it doesn't always come out quickly and easily to give up a bad habit.
However, reading every day what positive changes are taking place in the body will help keep the trend going. This diary also shows which way the person has traveled.