Tag Archives: stop smoking

WE’RE A “DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT” ON A VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT!

Yesterday, November 15, was The Great American Smokeout, and we FAILED  to remind you!  Sponsored by the American Cancer Society since 1977, Great American Smokeout has encouraged tobacco smokers and chewers to quit for the day, and hopefully, forever.  The Smokeout draws attention to deaths and health damage caused by smoking.  It has also contributed to bans on smoking in workplaces and restaurants, increased taxes on cigarettes, limitations on cigarette promotions in the media, attempts to discourage teen smoking, and other countless actions to reduce tobacco use.

By quitting even for one day smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life- one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes; that’s almost 1 in every 5 adults. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.  According to the CDC, 440,000 deaths and $193 billion in health care costs and lost production occur annually.

Here are some facts from the U.S. Surgeon General and American Cancer Society that point out the benefits of quitting:

  •         Your heart rate and blood pressure drop 20 minutes after quitting.
  •          Your circulation improves and your lung function increases within 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting.
  •          The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal 12 hours after quitting.
  •          One to nine months after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath decrease; normal function in the lungs is regained, which reduces the risk of infection.
  •          One year after quitting, the risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
  •          Five years after quitting, the stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
  •         Ten years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s.  The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease.
  •          Fifteen years after quitting, risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker’s. 

Workplaces that make the choice to become smoke-free would see increased productivity, fewer sick days and lower insurance claims by employees.  Employers could reward their workers that stop smoking by paying a membership fee to a health club, treat non-smokers to an occasional free breakfast or lunch, or come up with other ideas. 

People have the right to choose what to do with their body; however, when facts prove that smoking damages almost every organ in the human body and is linked to at least fifteen different cancers, that should be reason enough for tobacco users to stop and think about it.  Besides that, think of how much money could be saved!    

We hope that you made that decision on the 15th to start a healthier lifestyle.  If you smoke, please don’t smoke in your home or in your car if you have other passengers to consider, especially children.  Consider the health benefits as listed above, not to mention creating a safer environment for those non-smokers who have to breathe secondhand smoke!

 

TOP FIVE TIPS FOR A SPRING HEALTH KICK! (GUEST POST)

During the winter months, taking care of your weight is a hassle. The cold makes it difficult to exercise and you need to have plenty of food to maintain the body heat. Coming off the winter season, you will have gained a few extra pounds that will be clinging to you. The best to get your weight on track is by improving your overall health. Follow the best tips for a perfect spring health kick and you will be able to cut down the excess flab.

1. Get Up and Start Moving

The lack of physical activity during winter has to be compensated for. Exercise is the foremost way to get a spring health kick. As the weather improves, exercising becomes easier. The lungs won’t hurt and you won’t face shortness of breath. You don’t have to sweat it out at the gym. You can complete a daily regimen with a 20 to 30 minute walk. If you have the time, take short power walks or runs several times a day. Exercise gets your blood up and running through the body. Improved blood flow takes care of a number of health problems as well as keeping your skin and hair healthy.

2. Stop Smoking and Drinking

Smoking is extremely harmful to your health. Since most of the winter months are spent indoors, smoking regularly will have caused major damage. Quitting cigarettes is the perfect way to get some fresh air into your tired respiratory system. Alcohol is fattening and can wreak havoc on your digestive system. When intoxicated, you are bound to overeat and the slow metabolism makes it nearly impossible for the food to digest properly.

3. Keep Healthy Food in the House

You decide to eat healthy for a change. When dinner time comes along, you find there isn’t much in the way of healthy food. This is a problem faced by many people. They don’t have healthy food in the house. You are not going to change your eating habits unless and until you have the options in front of you. It is time you filled your fridge up with fruits and vegetables instead of soft drinks and chocolates.

4. Sleep Well

People usually sleep longer when the weather is cold. Now that the season is changing, you have to adjust accordingly. Alter your routine to ensure that you get sufficient sleep. Proper sleep ensures that all your body’s systems are working fine. It is a precursor to an overall healthy lifestyle.

5. Have Breakfast

Last, but not the least, starting having breakfast daily. Go for a light and nutritious meal. Make sure you don’t leave your home on an empty stomach. When you don’t eat for an extended period of time, your body slows down the metabolism causing problems with digestion. Since you haven’t eaten for quite a few hours, you are bound to eat more than the usual meal to compensate for it.

These are the 5 top tips for a spring health kick.

Allan has been blogging about nutrition and healthy living for quite some time. He has published many articles on prominent health blogs. Allan’s favourite topics include health covers, diet and low impact exercises.  

Please follow these important tips for a healthy lifestyle  from our friends in Australia. pb