The smoking cessation calendar is a very convenient thing. This is a great tool that motivates a person who wants to give up a bad habit. In general, it is quite difficult to quit smoking, but it is quite possible.
A special calendar has been developed for people suffering from nicotine addiction, which lists by days all the positive changes in the human body that occur after quitting smoking. In addition, the diary contains not only the physiological but also the emotional aspect.
First week of quitting
If you quit smoking, you will notice changes every day. Moreover, they are so pronounced that one will immediately pay attention to them.
First day
On the first day of smoking cessation, the concentration of carbon monoxide, which was previously contained in human blood, gradually begins to decrease. Therefore, the transport capacity of erythrocytes is significantly improved. Then more oxygen enters the cells of various tissues throughout the body.
On the first day of quitting smoking, the mood improves significantly. The person is happy with the decision. He is confident and proud that he has managed to cope with a difficult task. He is fully convinced that this decision is final. At this time, the person has virtually no desire for cigarettes or does not feel at all. In addition, on the first day it is enough to just get distracted from it and do your usual daily care. But at the same time, slight dizziness and weakness may occur. 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, the synthesis of mucus in the lungs gradually begins to decrease. The ciliated epithelium in the lungs now functions much better. The first symptoms of nicotine cravings appear. But at the same time, the cells of the intestinal mucosa begin to be replaced by new ones.
As for emotional mood, the state of euphoria lasts for several days, but some people become nervous and irritable. If you engage in self-hypnosis, then the desire to smoke can be gradually reduced significantly. One is sometimes very active, then becomes slow and sleepy.
In terms of physiological manifestations, appetite is still poor, but some people may develop an appetite for foods that are bright and pronounced in taste. An ex-smoker develops a cough, the attacks of which gradually intensify. Sometimes shortness of breath suffers. There is abdominal pain, the urge to urinate becomes more frequent. Dry skin is felt.
Third day
On the 3rd day the process of restoration of the ciliated epithelium begins. The repair also affects the mucous layers of the bronchi. More alkaline fractions are excreted in the pancreas and the amount of mucus in the stomach decreases significantly. Improves blood circulation in the heart and brain. Vascular tone is restored. But at the same time on the third day the patient becomes nervous. Now the "nicotine withdrawal syndrome" is fully manifested. By the way, the appetite increases sharply, you constantly want something sweet.
Fourth day
On the fourth day after 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 recover. The same goes for the lungs.
What happens to the mood after 4 days: the aggression gradually decreases. By the way, nervousness can be stopped with various drugs.
The patient may be in euphoria or depression. Some people have high blood pressure, tinnitus, constipation, cough, dizziness. The fingers and toes are slightly swollen.
Fifth day
On day 5, superficial microtraumas on the tongue begin to heal. Without nicotine dependence, the tone of blood vessels is normalized. Recovery takes place in separate areas of the bronchi and lungs, but the intestinal disorders have not yet passed. The food tastes bright again, but there is a lump in the throat and there are still breathing problems. The fifth day to quit smoking is considered one of the most difficult, as the euphoria passes and health still does not improve. On other days there is a high risk of damage.
Sixth day
On day 6, mucus production in the lower areas of the lungs increases. The cilia of the bronchi can now function actively. The secretory abilities of the pancreas and lungs were almost completely restored.
On the sixth day of smoking cessation, dyskinetic disorders may occur in the duodenum and gallbladder. On this day, all white blood cells have already grown without the influence of nicotine.
Withdrawal syndrome reappears: irritability, tearfulness, insomnia. I want cigarettes, it's hard to hold back, but it's possible.
Vegetative disorders can be exacerbated. Decreased appetite, maybe even nausea after fatty foods. In addition, increased sweating, trembling hands, thirst, bitterness in the mouth or a lump in the throat. The body is cleansed and the dark mucus is coughed up.
Seventh day
On the seventh day of smoking cessation, the physical phase of nicotine addiction is almost over. Now the body has recovered to function fully at normal levels without the addition of nicotine. A full recovery will now begin. The longest rehabilitation will take place on the vessels and lungs. As for the emotional state, on the seventh day of quitting smoking one feels empty. Smoking is no longer a physiological necessity, but just a simple daily ritual.
The first six months
First month
What happens in the first month after giving up a bad habit? This further recovery of the whole organism, and now at the cellular level.
The epithelial cells have been renewed, so that the processes of assimilation and production of all the substances needed for new cells, which are now functioning, are now stabilized after a person quits smoking and gets rid of nicotine addiction.
But psychologically this month is quite difficult. Some are happy with themselves and enjoy life, while others, on the contrary, count 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 cycles of renewal, so this time is best for women: yellowness and dryness of the skin disappear. But the vascular network is still preserved. This is due to the fact that the vascular cells have not yet regenerated. The lungs also continue to recover, but these processes have not yet reached the acini - these are the smallest structural elements of 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 complete recovery of blood vessel cells. Previously, their tone may be disturbed due to the action of any factors, especially due to stress. But in the third month after quitting smoking, vascular tone returns to normal. By the way, the third month is considered critical, because at that time the physical desire for cigarettes disappears, but some people want to try again, as it was before. By this time, the headache and dizziness were completely gone. The man sleeps well.
Fourth month
What happens in the fourth month? Complete renewal of skin cells, so that the complexion is now normalized, itching, dryness and flaking disappear.
The work of the pancreas, stomach and liver in ex-smokers is normalized so that the food is well digested. The same goes for the gut.
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 is the liver, only at the end of this month begins recovery in some cells of this organ. Healthy cells can then take over some of the functions of dead neighbors. The lungs continue to recover. Snoring is either absent or much less than when you just quit smoking. The urge to smoke appears only occasionally, but this will continue for up to 10 months after quitting smoking.
Sixth month
Six months ago, a man smoked his last cigarette. Therefore, the blood in the body was completely renewed, not all blood cells were exposed to nicotine. They can now 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, one can breathe much easier. The weight is normalized. Appetite also becomes normal.
A year since giving up the bad habit
What happens in the seventh month? The sense of smell improves. Now one begins to feel better aromas. The perception of the taste of food also improves significantly.
In the eighth month of quitting, mucus is no longer released when an ex-smoker coughs and the cough itself is almost non-existent. Now the lungs can deal with the problems on their own. If a person has already developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, by the eighth month of quitting smoking, his condition will improve significantly. The disease enters a phase of remission and will continue for the rest of the time if the person does not start smoking again.
In the ninth month of quitting, cigarettes no longer provoke such a strong desire to smoke. But it is important to learn to control yourself again, because 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 of smoking, but in real life they can easily do without cigarettes. In sleep, smoking is very real and all sensations are alive, so waking up will be painful. Because of this, 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, one can easily cope with jogging, brisk walking, strength training and other sports. But the load must increase gradually. The risk of re-smoking is approximately 20-25%.
What happens exactly one year after giving up the bad habit: the body is almost completely recovered. Now the risk of stroke is no more than 30%. The likelihood of a heart attack is halved. The probability of developing oncological diseases and liver pathologies has decreased by 90%.
Conclusion
If you want to quit smoking, then a smoking cessation diary is the best solution. This will help with motivation, as it is not always quick and easy to give up a bad habit.
But if you read every day what positive changes are happening in the body, it helps to keep the trend. In addition, this diary will show how far the person has come.