As you ring in the New Year, you will be joining millions of others across the country in making some resolutions. Many of these commitments focus on living a healthier lifestyle – going to the gym more often, sticking to a better diet, etc. As more studies surface detailing the negative effects of tobacco smoke, consider kicking the habit this year.
Smoking related diseases claim hundreds of thousands of lives in America annually. This damaging habit can cause lung cancer, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The 2006 Surgeon General’s report clearly identifies causal relationships between smoking and negative health effects such as asthma, coughing and disease.
Refraining from smoking can not only improve your physical health, but your mental health as well. People with mental illnesses are twice as likely to smoke cigarettes, and in higher volumes than the general public. Smoking is often a major part of their daily routine. Alcohol and drug abuse are also strongly associated with a high rate of smoking. There is evidence that smoking is sometimes used as a form of self-medication. Although nicotine from cigarettes can have a calming effect, appearing to reduce anxiety, studies have shown that smoking can increase psychotic symptoms because antipsychotic medications are flushed out of the body more quickly due to the effects of smoking.
Recent statistics show that persons with serious mental illness may die as many as 25 years earlier than the general population. Our physical health and mental health go hand-in-hand. It is important to focus on keeping physically healthy while addressing mental health concerns at the same time. Quitting smoking can have a major impact on decreasing your risk of premature death or experiencing serious health problems. Immediate effects can be seen from quitting smoking such as after twenty minutes blood pressure, pulse rate and body temperature return to normal; after eight hours carbon monoxide levels in the blood drop and oxygen levels increase to normal; after twenty-four hours the chance of heart attack decreases; after two days nerve endings start to re-generate and the ability to taste and smell improve; and after two weeks to three months circulation improves, walking becomes easier, and lung function increases up to 30%. The negative effects of smoking continue to improve the longer you refrain from smoking.
There are several ways to start the challenging process of ending this addictive habit. It is important to identify the situations that cause you to smoke. By identifying the triggers for your smoking habits, you can develop ways to avoid or cope with the things that cause your return to smoking after you’ve made the decision to quit. An important part of being successful is to reward yourself each day that you refrain from smoking. Stay positive and don’t give up. Ask a non-smoking friend or family member to help keep you on track and plan your rewards. Finding local resources or a support group can also help you stay smoke-free. There are many resources available, nationally and locally, for those who want to quit smoking. The Michigan Department of Community Health website offers many sources that can help, including links to online prevention courses.
This year you can live a healthier life by making the choice to quit smoking. For more information about ways to stop smoking you can contact Gratiot County’s Substance Abuse Coalition at 989-875-5101, or Gratiot County Community Mental Health at 989-463-4971.