Firstmed Blog

While it is true that smoking can give you a lift during the day especially when you are tired, it is also known that smoking can relate to that tired all the time feeling. You may think that feeling run down is a normal part of life and it is true that your energy flows in waves, therefore meaning that everyone has energy peaks and troughs throughout the day. However quitting smoking will add enormously to your energy levels after the first few weeks.

It has been reported that as early as 72 hours after stopping smoking, people’s breathing becomes easier as bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase. This in turn can be beneficial when quitting as many people worry about weight gain that can happen when people quit. Weight gain occurs as smoking actually is associated with an increased use of energy i.e. smoking increases the body’s metabolism or put another way burns upto 200 calories a day in a heavy smoker. A study done in America showed that as expected there was an energy increase between rest and active states. More relevantly, an increase of energy consumption by 3.6% occurred while at rest in a smoker when compared to a non-smoker. This was shown to be directly due to the effects of nicotine. Therefore, quitting smoking means that in turn the body’s metabolism slows.

However, the extra energy which many people experience can be put to good use increasing your exercise levels, even doing things as simple as going for a brisk walk at lunchtime or in the evening, which not only keeps weight gain one may experience to a minimal but can also improve your general health.