Everyone feels sadness at times, just as everyone experiences joy, anger, pride, and a variety of other emotions. In other words, everyone has emotions, and those emotions change all the time.

Sometimes we are joyful (for example, when we are having fun), and other times we are sad (such as when we lose a loved one). Whatever the feelings are, they are real and part of life.

A negative emotion may even be beneficial. Our society prioritizes happiness and regards misery as a waste of time. However, sadness can slow you down and cause you to reflect about your life, your feelings, and the people around you. It might help you keep your relationships and dreams in focus.

You may be upset for a number of reasons.

There are several situations in life that might make someone sad:
  • having trouble at home (for example, family fights or domestic violence)
  • having trouble at school or work, or feeling pressure there 
  • moving home
  • losing a loved one or a friend
  • being ill, or caring for someone who is ill
  • experiencing chemical changes in your body (from puberty, drugs or medicines)
  • experiencing changes in your thoughts (for example, developing an unhelpful thinking style such as being self-critical, or learning new information about subjects such as poverty or terrorism).
When you are confronted with these circumstances, you may have unhelpful or negative beliefs about your melancholy. And those thoughts can exacerbate your feelings.

So, try a new approach: acknowledge your unhappiness and the circumstances that caused it. Allow yourself time to resolve any issues and feel better. You may also want to contact resources that can assist you (such as friends and family, a psychologist, or another health professional).

Sadness will pass.

Feeling better can entail taking one or many steps. It could happen rapidly or gradually. Just remember that emotions come and go, and you can transition from despair to happiness.

To begin, recognize that you are sad. Sometimes melancholy feels bearable, and simply admitting how you feel is sufficient - after all, it will pass. You might wish to actively do something to assist control your grief at times. You might wish to try some of these suggestions:

  • Have faith that things will improve. You must have faith that your unhappy sentiments will fade with time and effort.
  • Be truthful to yourself and those around you. Speak with someone you trust.
  • Do things you enjoy that are also excellent for you. Make your life more enjoyable by listening to music, going for a stroll, reading a book, or calling a friend.
  • Is there anything you can do to address the source of your sadness?
  • Have faith that things will improve. You must have faith that your unhappy sentiments will fade with time and effort.
  • Be truthful to yourself and those around you. Speak with someone you trust.
  • Do things you enjoy that are also excellent for you. Make your life more enjoyable by listening to music, going for a stroll, reading a book, or calling a friend.
  • Is there anything you can do to address the source of your sadness?
  • Take on one issue at a time. It makes no difference whether you start with the greatest or smallest problem; simply make a list and get started. If you have no control over the issue, talk to someone you trust about your alternatives, or concentrate on accepting the circumstance as it is.
  • Consider whether your sleeping and eating habits are healthy.
  • Assist someone else. Simply making a difference in someone else's life or being a member of a community can improve your emotions.
  • Find a unique way to express your sorrow. Writing your thoughts down in a diary, for example, may assist you in gaining a fresh perspective.

Sadness is not the same as depression.

Being sad does not imply that you are depressed. However, if your mood begins to interfere with your life and how you function, you may be depressed.

The key distinctions between melancholy and clinical depression are the source of the change in mood, the length of time you have felt that way, and any additional symptoms that may be present.

If your mood relates to a recent event, such as a relationship breakup, then you may well be feeling sadness. But if that breakup was months ago, or you can see no clear reason for your change in mood, you could be depressed, and it might be helpful for you to chat to your GP about what’s causing you to feel the way you do.
Let us examine the distinctions between sadness and depression.

Sadness:

  • A common reaction to an upset or setback, and is usually not a cause for concern is interspersed by periods of laughing and contentment is an emotion that can entail negative thoughts but does not usually involve suicidal ideas

Depression:


  • is a longer-term (more than two weeks) feeling of severe sadness or loss of interest or pleasure in activities, as well as other symptoms. Sleeplessness, low energy, concentration problems, pessimism, lack of hope, suicidal thoughts, and hunger problems are some of the symptoms.
  • has complex causes that could involve genetic or biological components A traumatic event or psychological stress may have resulted in considerable weight change or sleep disruption.
  • is mentally taxing and can have far-reaching consequences.

Remember…

  • Everyone experiences sadness at times.
  • You can learn to cope with your melancholy.
  • Being sad does not imply that you are depressed.
  • You may be depressed if you have been feeling melancholy for longer than two weeks or if you have lost interest in most of your typical hobbies. In this circumstance, it is critical to seek assistance.