Last Updated on 24th September 2021 by Charlie Walsh
Stoptober begins today and is designed to inspire and assist people in stopping smoking in the UK. Stoptober provides online support and various other means of encouragement to help people make the decision to stop smoking and ultimately quit forever.
Launching in 2012 Stoptober was a government supported programme that educated people on the damage smoking did to their health and offered ways and means to quit smoking. It is a 28 day challenge where those taking part abstain from smoking with a pretty high success rate! By increasing motivation to stop smoking around this time they hope to trigger more and more people into quitting seeing it as a group effort with a large support network.
What happens to when you stop smoking?
You will save money! On top of the health benefits. The average person who smokes cigarettes will smoke around 13 cigarettes a day – 364 a month! By stopping you will save approximately £141 a month and £1,696 a year.
Your sense of taste will return to normal and your breathing and overall fitness will improve. You will notice a huge difference in your skin, teeth and hair. Ultimately you will be more
confident in social situations because your clothes and breathe wont smell of stale smoke.
If you are trying for children stopping smoking is a huge step in the right direction as your sperm count or fertility levels will improve – along with your chances of having a happy, healthy pregnancy.
Take a look at these amazing short term figures we found on the NHS website! The long term results are even more incredible.
After 20 minutes
Pulse rate returns to normal.
After 8 hours
Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by more than half and oxygen levels return to normal.
After 48 hours
Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.
After 48 hours
There is no nicotine in the body. Ability to taste and smell is improved.
After 72 hours
Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
What happens when you stop drinking alcohol?
When you stop drinking alcohol your body may go through withdrawal – If you were drinking excessive amounts you may want to discuss it with a trained health professional. You will potentially have to deal with feeling nauseous, anxious and the dreaded shakes for the first 48 hours (on top of the cravings) but once you have got past this initial and most difficult period you will start to see a huge improvement in your health. Go sober for October is a fundraising event where people give up the booze for a month in return for raising awareness and money for charity. By signing up to undertake the challenge you will be really helping out people with cancer.
Sleep will improve, so you’re going to feel more aware and more energetic through the day. Not to mention waking up hangover free! Now a lot of people do use alcohol to help them fall asleep quicker but you will actually spend more time in the state of R.E.M (rapid eye movement) sleep which means you are less rested when you wake up as you didn’t enjoy the stages of deep sleep.
You will also look better! Your skin will clear up and you’ll feel more confident. Alcohol is packed full of calories so by stopping drinking you will lose weight and find it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
You will also save a lot of money!
Those are just some of the short term benefits to stopping – long term you will be doing a world of good for your health.
Alcohol is actually linked to 7, yes 7 different types of cancer which is pretty scary considering most people only have a drink to relax. The two major concerns being mouth cancer and breast cancer. So by cutting out the drink you will obviously lower your chances of getting cancer.
Your liver will improve. Drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol can result in a fatty liver in men and women, now because having a damaged liver doesn’t tend to present any symptoms at first most people are unaware of the dangers. If you feel uncomfortable or have a loss of normal appetite a blood test may reveal you have a fatty liver.
In conclusion
By cutting out alcohol and smoking you will lead a healthier lifestyle. Blood flow and circulation will improve which is fantastic news for all the men reading this article, this may result in stronger, harder erections which last longer. You’ll also have more stamina and energy levels will be through the roof! You will improve your chances of conceiving a child if you a trying for a family too. You will look more attractive and have more money too so why not give up today!
