Why You Might Be Feeling Sad Right Now
Emotions are powerful. But these very same emotions can sometimes also overwhelm us. One of these emotions is sadness. Although we feel it, should not be an emotion we should constantly feel every day.
Sadness can be determined to a behavioural and physiological level such as crying, sobbing, and temporary social isolation. There are specific parts in the brain and peripheral nervous system that trigger observable reactions.
We all have those “blah” days. Here are some reasons why you may be feeling down:
1. The weather.
Less sunshine during the cold months can trigger a wave of sadness. To avoid this, try to expose yourself to sunlight as much as possible. This provides you with vitamin D and is also linked to lifting a depressed mood.
2. Hormones
Levels of hormones can be a factor of sadness. You may be surprised how these naturally occurring chemical reactions in our body can affect our mood. For women, hormones fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. That is why it is not surprising that women may be vulnerable to sad moods, especially during the premenstrual period. This is also true during perimenopause and menopause.
3. Expectations
How we view events in life and the meanings we assign to them affect our mood. We face certain moments in our lives when we seem to be trying so hard and doing everything right but everything does not happen as we expect them to.
Life isn’t fair and it’s natural. Struggle, suffering and loss are inevitable.
4. Lack of support system
If you are alone in your battle, you can become really lonely. The lack of a support system can certainly get a person down, especially if you feel like you are doing everything. It is exhausting to make efforts and not have people behind your back. What you can do to avoid feeling sadness is to rely on yourself more and not wallow in your expectations of other people.
5. Inability to communicate needs
Sadness doesn’t form overnight. Repression goes back longer and deeper. We expect others to read our minds. We sometimes wear a mask or do not communicate what we mean because we are afraid of getting rejected.
6. Lack of focus, Direction or drive
Having a lack of focus, a direction in your life or a drive to live can cause sadness. You may not know what to do with your life and what future you want to have and these thoughts are causing an intense wave of inner grief. Instead of thinking of these things, try to see what you have right now and slowly work on getting your purpose in life.
7. Sadness in pandemic
Pandemic multiplies the level of sadness than the usual times that we experienced. Unlike before, it is easy to access your loved ones when you feel sad especially when you’re alone. Other than yourself, it is hard to seek help from someone. The new normal from education, work, food access and prices, and even to your daily routines change a lot. It is so hard to adjust that we often get to be angry and suffer.
8. Financial Insufficiency.
Since many companies and works have been closed and struggling, unemployment is rampant amid a pandemic. You always get worried about how to have money to support your family and even yourself. You are even probably worried if you still have enough money for food.
Financial insufficiency is a big factor of sadness since we are in a system where there is no ethical consumption.
9. Rejection.
Sadness comes in different ways and events. If you are in a conflict situation with your loved one and they started to reject you, it will also trigger sadness.
A kiss goodbye, a hug and departing ways can also affect your emotion. Though it is not a negative emotion, you still feel sadness.
10. Loss of loved one.
The death of someone important to you is a devastating event especially if you have good memories to reminisce. Grief is a natural thing to feel if you lost someone. Try opening up to other people to avoid sadness. Or, you can also seek professional help.
Your mindset is everything. If you cannot think positively, you may end up not doing anything or not finishing your tasks. If how you think makes you overlook what you do have and what you can have, maybe it’s time for you to do something to change your thinking. You can start with having self-talk to focus on what blessings you are having right now.
Being sad is completely normal but you must be aware and take care of yourself. It may be hard but at some time you can overcome it because this struggle only comes either to destroy or a lesson.
Letting sadness control yourself can lead to physical conditions. Sometimes you disregard to take care of yourself. Forgetting to do hygienic measures is a common and mild habit. But sometimes when things get worse, you will eventually skip meals and not have a good sleep that will lead you into sickness.
At times that you feel sadness drowns you and it’s being a heavy load, you can seek help. You can find a walk in clinic in Edmonton and talk to a medical professional that can guide you.
Emotions can be complex. Learn to accept them. Do not let your emotions control you, instead help yourself control the emotions.