Sadness is a part of life. It’s what makes us human. We all feel sad. It’s an emotion that makes us appreciate the happier times. The contrast of mood when we swing from being sad to happiness is exhilarating. One of the best examples is a woman in labor. Usually, the labor pains are excruciating. However, the joy that follows when a mother holds their baby compensates for any sadness. Such is the seasonality of life.
Experiencing sadness is highly encouraged. However, what isn’t encouraged is dwelling in sadness. That’s when it becomes a problem. When we can’t seem to shake off the sad feelings, it might be time to take action.
Coping with feelings of sadness
There are many ways to beat sadness. Some people cope by watching sad movies. They cry their eyes out and then feel better afterward. Others prefer to stay active and go for a run or do some other form of exercise. The endorphins released from exercising have mood-boosting effects.
Some people find comfort in talking to friends or family members about their problems. Others prefer to keep their problems to themselves and deal with them on their own. There is no right or wrong way to deal with sadness. It’s important to find what works best for you. Too much of anything is poisonous; including sadness. And while it might not always feel like it, there are ways to overcome sadness.
Here are some simple tips overcome sadness:
1.Allow yourself to be sad
Acknowledge your sadness. Don’t try to bottle it up. It’s okay to cry. Identify what has made you sad. Once you know what the problem is, you can start to figure out a solution. Bottling up emotions of sadness does more harm than good.
2.Talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling
It can be a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone who will listen. Talking about your problems can help you figure out a solution. It can also help you feel better just to get it off your chest.
3.Exercise
As mentioned earlier, exercise releases endorphins which have mood-boosting effects. A moderate amount of exercise is the key. too much exercise can actually lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
4.Find a hobby that makes you happy
Doing something you enjoy can help take your mind off of whatever is making you sad. It can also give you a sense of accomplishment and make you feel good about yourself.
5.Write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal
This can help you figure out what is making you sad and help you come up with solutions to your problems.
Spend time with friends and family. Socializing can help boost your mood and make you feel better.
6.Be patient
Sadness is a natural emotion and it will eventually pass. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling sad. Just take things one day at a time and eventually, the sadness will lift.
Sadness is a part of life, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. There are ways to cope with sadness so that it doesn’t cause too much disruption. If you’re feeling sad, try some of the tips above. And remember, be patient; things will eventually get better.
Signs of Depression
At this age, mental health is paramount. Depression can disguise under the veil of sadness. If untreated, depression has far-reaching consequences. Being unhappy is different from depression. Instead, depression is pervasive and persistent. It makes one perpetually sad, and unable to overcome such feelings. Therefore, if you observe some of these signs and symptoms, seek help as soon as possible.
1. Loss of interest in favorite activities
2. Feeling sad or “empty” most of the time
3. Significant weight gain or loss
4. Sleeping too much or too little, fatigue
5. Restlessness, irritability
6. Difficulty concentrating, and making decisions
7. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (e.g., headaches, digestive disorders)
8. Thoughts of death or suicide
If you identify with five or more of these symptoms lasting for two weeks or longer, you might be depressed and should seek professional help immediately. Depression is a serious mental illness that can have devastating consequences if left untreated. It can lead to problems with work, relationships, and physical health. But with treatment, most people with depression experience significant improvement in their symptoms. So don’t wait to get help if you think you might be depressed. The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you can start feeling better.
Golden Tip
Let me pluck a page from my coping skill. I realized that when I set my bar too high, my moods move from 100% to 0% very fast due to unmet expectations. The vice versa holds true. To avoid moving through the emotions, I decided to always set the bar too low. With a low bar, I preempt feeling too discouraged and disappointed. I manage. In most instances, I exceed the expectations!
If you like it, apply this as a coping mechanism.
