How to: Deal With Sadness

Sadness is something everyone experiences in life. I’ve been thinking about this because of late, we are afraid of what the news may be when there are phone call or message alerts. It could be a unsuccessful job interview result, rude phone calls from our colleagues, or even break up message from our loved ones through texts. While we do try to carry on with our routine, denying or suppressing our emotions usually backfires. What can you do when sad thoughts weigh you down and make it difficult to focus? How to deal with sadness? Our feelings only build up and complicate our lives even more. How do we cope?

1. Call your loved ones

A good way to find out is to talk to family or a close friend and go from there. When you go through a difficult time or feel the frustrations piling up, talk to someone close to you, such as family members or friends. As for me, I would ask my sisters or my close friends to go out on the weekend and spend some time together. We always had a few hours talking about ourselves, mostly regarding our frustration or problems that we faced, and magically, it makes us feel much better right after.  By sharing your concerns, you will be able to put them in perspective and perhaps find new insights. Remember to do the same for your loved ones when they are sad. Remember this line: you got me, I got us. :)

2. Have a good cry

If human connection is not your thing, or perhaps too much for you at that particular moment,  you can always cry your heart out. There’s nothing like a good cry as a coping mechanism to deal with sadness. Shedding a few tears eliminates toxins and causes hormonal shifts that lower your stress levels and strengthen your immune system. So, pick a safe time and place and allow yourself to cry. It doesn't matter if you're a guy or woman, crying is for everybody, and there's nothing to be ashamed of. 

3. Do something you love

The problem with being sad is that you may not want to enjoy doing something you love. The good news is, once you actually start doing it, you’ll enjoy it. Maybe it is something as simple as painting. Or just getting outdoors for a jog or a walk. To deal with sadness, think about something you love to do. Do it. If you are struggling to decide what you want to do, think simple. Find a hobby you’ve always wanted to try. My favorite therapeutic activity is singing to channel my sadness. Feeling sad makes us more creative and encourages self-reflection. And that for me, is singing, and I don't have to worry if I sing badly, or my roommate complains about the bleeding ears caused by my singing. What matters is that you are feeling good right after you do the activity that you choose. You may be inspired to cook or draw or work in the garden. Whatever it is, do it.  Don't let anyone or anything stop you.

4. Be gentle and patient with yourself

We all experience varying degrees of sadness. Some of us suffer more as we react differently. Take some time and space if needed. Hell, take all the time and space that you need. Don't rush the process of you recovering from a downcast. You are the only person that know what your limits are, and what kind of recovery that you may need. Whenever I'm having a difficult time, I would switch off my phone and spend some time alone by reading at a cafe. I would just empty my mind at that particular moment, and focuses on myself. Then, when I feel better, I'll continue dealing with tasks that I have. Depending on how we are dealing with matter, if the problem gets serious, we may even need to seek professional help. When you’re feeling blue, effective coping strategies will help you thrive during those dark days and steer you towards happiness. So, always be kind to yourself <3 

Remember, it is normal to have some gloomy days. You can't have the light without some darkness. So, whenever we feel sad, don't be mad because you couldn't feel joy at that particular moment, embrace the emotions, and always be grateful that we are given the gift of feelings. But, always remember to not dwell in your emotions too much. Be sure to pick yourself up after a downfall. It might be difficult at times, but I believe in you. You got this!

If you need someone to talk to, or safe space to let your emotions out, you can always reach out to me through the app Slowly, a postcard app (my ID: 6VR9NM). If no one is there with you, I'll be there for you :) Take care, and have a great day!

<3, 

widh