When the fresh sunlight penetrates the curtains and spills into the room, heralding the start of a new day, many people have the habit of first smoking a cigarette to greet the morning sun, as if the smoke contains a peculiar power that energizes them. However, this morning routine that seems to give vitality actually hides significant health risks.
Mr. Li, a “morning smoker” like many others, starts his day with a cigarette right after waking up. But as time went by, Mr. Li began experiencing chest tightness, shortness of breath, sometimes accompanied by coughing symptoms, and his increasingly serious physical condition led him to question his long-term smoking habit.
After a routine check-up, Mr. Li shared his health concerns with the doctor. The doctor, with great concern, informed him, “Smoking immediately after waking up from sleep inflicts particularly severe damage to your health.” The doctor explained that in the morning, the body is gradually awakening from the night’s rest and many physiological functions are not yet fully activated. Smoking at this time is akin to a heavy blow to the still-drowsy body organs.
The harm of smoking first thing in the morning exceeds that of any other time. This is mainly because after a night’s rest, the body’s metabolism is slowly warming up, and the blood circulation contains higher levels of nicotine and other harmful substances. Smoking immediately increases the burden on the cardiovascular system and heightens the risk of respiratory diseases.
Beyond that, experts also pointed out that after meals and before bedtime are critical times not to smoke. Smoking after meals can disrupt the normal digestion of food, increasing stress on the gastrointestinal tract; smoking before bedtime may cause sleep disturbances, and even trigger nighttime apneas.
In Mr. Li’s case, we see how the doctor meticulously explained the multiple dangers of smoking and emphasized the importance of avoiding smoking in the morning, after meals, and before bedtime. This prompted Mr. Li to start trying to adjust his habits, like drinking a glass of warm water or doing light stretching exercises as a replacement for his habit of having the first cigarette in the morning.
With persistent effort, Mr. Li gradually felt a shift, breathing became smoother, and cough symptoms started to improve. This further validated the principle: Change requires persistence and determination, but any effort is worthwhile for the sake of health. From this moment on, let us cherish ourselves more and distance ourselves from those silent habits that stealthily rob us of our health and future.
With each inhale of smoke, we are actually consuming our vitality. Faced with the challenging road to quit smoking, we need to have firm belief and bravely resist various temptations, and ultimately, we will recover a healthy, fresh self. With unwavering determination and resolve, we shall dispel the haze of smoke and welcome a brilliant future full of hope.
In this world filled with opportunities and challenges, there is no doubting that the health of each of us is the most precious asset. Let us collectively make an effort to treasure it, protect it, so that the flower of our lives may bloom in the radiance of health.
