Health

Your Great Ally in Quitting Smoking and Enhancing Life Quality

Health Fitness
By Benjamin,  published 26 January 2025 at 18h10, updated on 26 January 2025 at 18h10.
Malena Lobo

Discover your greatest ally in the journey to quit smoking and enhance your quality of life

Tl;dr

  • Physical exercise is a powerful tool to overcome cigarette addiction.

  • Smoking affects physical performance and ruins the benefits of exercise.

  • Physical activities, particularly aerobic exercises, can aid in quitting smoking.

    • The Potent Role of Exercise in Overcoming Smoking

    As a seasoned news journalist, my experience has cemented my belief that knowledge is power. Today, I would like to share a revelation that could change the lives of many. Physical exercise and sports aren’t just crucial for maintaining a fit and strong body; they are potent weapons against cigarette addiction.

    Smoking and Physical Fitness: A Troublesome Duo

    It’s essential to understand the risks smoking poses to physical performance. According to cardiologist Hernán Provera, smokers who do not engage in any physical activity tend to have poor lung function compared to those who do. However, the best respiratory health is undeniably found in non-smokers.

    Among the negative effects of smoking on physicality include:

  • Difficulty in air intake and expulsion from the lungs

  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure during exercise

  • Decreased physical performance

    • It also heightens the risk of injuries by weakening bones and connective tissues, and slows down recovery after physical activity. In essence, smoking nullifies the benefits of exercise.

    Exercise: The Key to Quitting

    Provera asserts that once a person quits smoking, their respiratory system regains its strength through physical exercise. In fact, numerous studies have shown that a physically active person is more likely to quit smoking than someone with a sedentary lifestyle.

    Why is this so? During any form of physical activity, the body produces endorphins – the so-called “happiness hormones”. These endorphins stimulate the brain in a similar way to nicotine, effectively combating withdrawal symptoms.

    For those looking to quit smoking, Provera recommends starting with predominantly aerobic exercises, such as walking, swimming, cycling, or jogging. These sessions should last about 30 minutes a day for five days a week and gradually increase to 60 minutes a day.

    However, it’s important to set clear and achievable goals for both quitting smoking and setting an exercise routine. Avoid smoking after a training session as the lungs’ alveoli are more prone to accumulating toxins.

    Physical activity also acts as a deterrent against relapse. As the time since the last cigarette increases, lung capacity improves, and physical results get better.

    In conclusion, physical activity is undoubtedly the most economical and effective measure to promote health. Its benefits extend beyond the heart and circulation, and include combating obesity, hypertension, stress, arthritis, osteoporosis, and reducing cholesterol levels. It also stimulates the immune system, improves gut bacteria, and prevents brain aging, among other things.