by We cannot always be cheerful and happy. There are times when things do not go as expected. You may not get the promotion you wanted, or your child may be battling an illness. Anything can make you feel sad. Sadness is something that people tend to connect with depression. They are not wrong, since feeling sad can be a symptom of depression. But that doesn’t mean that every time you feel bad, you’re down. If you’re looking for ways to stop being sad, keep reading.
Health Shots connected with Dr. Neha Dutt, Consulting Psychologist, Dharamshila Narayana Superspecialty Hospital, Delhi, to learn about sadness and how to stop being sad.
sadness vs depression
Dr. Dutt says that sadness is a response to something negative that may have happened, whereas depression is a mental health condition and is more than just feeling sad. It can be a symptom of depression, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have depression. It is important to acknowledge or identify and probe the feelings of your sadness and take steps to work on it. This is necessary because prolonged sadness can affect your activities of daily living. As for depression, it is a clinical condition that usually involves persistent and intense sadness or a loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy. Other symptoms of depression can include sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts.
Ways to stop being sad
You should not think about the things that make you sad. Other ways to stop being sad are:
1. Talk to someone
It can help to talk to someone about what has been bothering you. This could be a friend or a family member. Talking about your feelings can help you gain perspective and find new ways to cope. They can even bring happiness back to your life.
2. Challenge negative thoughts
Negative thoughts can contribute to feelings of sadness, says the expert. She tries to identify and challenge negative thoughts when they appear, and replace them with more positive and realistic thoughts.
3. Do something creative
Whether it’s writing, painting, or playing music, engaging in creative activities can be a therapeutic way to process your feelings and improve your mood. So, show your creative side.
4. Practice self-care
Taking care of yourself is an important part of managing sadness. This could mean things like getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, exercising, and spending time doing the things you enjoy.
5. Try mindfulness
Mindfulness and deep breathing can go a long way. They will help you stay in the present and focus on the moment, which can help reduce feelings of sadness.
6. Go outside
Spending time in nature can have a calming effect and help improve your mood. Even a short walk outside your home or office can make a difference.
7. Set goals
Set small goals and try to reach them to help increase your sense of accomplishment and improve your mood, says the expert.
8. Practice gratitude
Gratitude is not to be taken lightly. Focusing on the things you are grateful for can help you change your perspective and improve your mood.
If your feelings of sadness continue or end up interfering with your daily life, you should seek help from a therapist or other mental health expert.
