Is it normal to feel empty when quitting smoking?
A bout of sadness is normal when quitting smoking, or it certainly is for me.
I've quit with the assistance of nicotine patches and an inhaler. I came off the inhaler 3 days ago, as per my quit plan with the smoking cessation advisor, but am on the lowest dose of nicotine patch (10 mg).
I'm 11 weeks into quitting smoking, and I just feel 'meh'. I think when you first give up all of your attention is on the physical symptoms (fatigue, sweating, constipation, tenseness in muscles). Now that these have subsided my attention is on how I'm feeling emotionally. I wouldn't label it as 'depression', it's certainly not as serious as that. But I do feel miserable.
Smoking broke up the day, and really helped me focus my thoughts. It helped alleviate the boredom too. For me boredom and feeling miserable go hand in hand. I'm trying to keep busy by doing puzzles, reading a book & watching telly - but it's not happening.
Am thinking about going back on my inhaler. I'm still using it, but it has no nicotine cartridges in. It's not only the hand to mouth action, but the sensation of no nicotine that's making me feel a bit bereft. I'm not going back to smoking - no way. I joined a gym but am lacking the motivation to go, yet I know that when I've done my exercises I'll feel great. I'm gonna have to really push myself to go there....
