The right way to get rid of sadness and confusion in the heart

Everyone must have felt sad. However, how often and how intense do you feel sadness? If it continues and is excessive, you should not underestimate this because it could be that what you experience is a symptom of depression. What is the difference? Come on, find out in the following review.

Why can someone feel sad?

Sadness is an instinctive emotion that everyone can feel. Sadness can come to you every now and then or almost every day, depending on what is going on in your life.

In general, sadness arises when things don't go as they should, according to plan, or as desired. As a result, it makes you feel helpless and hopeless. Conflict, failure, death, and loss are some of the things that most often sadden humans.

On the other hand, seeing, witnessing, or hearing other people who are sad can also make you feel the same emotions. Especially if you have a high sense of empathy. You tend to be more sensitive to other people's feelings and thoughts.

For example, when you see someone who has been hit by an accident, you will really feel the misery and think about how it was when you were in that situation. Your sense of empathy allows you to deeply understand the sadness that other people experience.

The right way to get rid of sadness

Feeling sad is normal, but it's not okay to let it drag on. Here are some healthy ways to get rid of sadness so that it doesn't get eaten up by your soul:

1. Admit when you are sad

Most of us often put on fake smiles and pretend to be strong so as not to appear weepy in front of other people. Not a few also openly deny that they are sad because they do not want to be a burden and be pitied by others.

In fact, denial will actually be detrimental to your physical and mental health. Imagine all the sadness that has been buried for a long time piling up into one like a "time bomb" that could explode at any time. Not only destroy yourself, but in the end also destroy other people around you.

So because of that, admit that you are really sad. Remember that sadness is a normal human reaction. So, there is nothing wrong with feeling these emotions. If necessary, express your sadness by crying. Crying helps you feel more relieved.

2. Meditate on what makes you sad

After your condition has improved somewhat, reflect back on the sadness you feel. Ask yourself, what really makes you feel sad? Do these emotions arise in connection with an unhappy loss or event?

Reflecting on and understanding the emotions you are feeling can help you fight feelings of sadness. However, don't let yourself be judging yourself.

Remember that sadness is a part of life and there is wisdom in every situation you experience.

3. Give it time

Research shows that most people recover from sadness on their own over time. The length of time it takes obviously varies from person to person.

It may take you all day, a week, or months to accept loss, failure, hopelessness, and so on. So, enjoy your "healing" process.

4. Get close to God

If you are a religious person, you can do spiritual activities such as praying, meditating, or going to a place of worship to seek self-peace. Getting closer to God is also an effective way to calm your gray heart.

Always remember that God loves you more than anything else on this earth.

5. Confide in trusted people

Don't let yourself get caught up in sadness. There is nothing wrong with turning to someone you trust to reduce the burden on your heart as well as seek enlightenment for the problem. You can share life's complaints with your parents, spouse, or closest friends.

People who care about you will do their best to comfort you and take your mind off your sadness. So, don't hesitate to ask the people closest to you for help.

6. Stay away from things that trigger sadness

If you notice some object or place that could potentially make you sad, it's best to avoid this. It's not easy. However, you should do your best so that you don't come across things that make you sad.

If you continue to be haunted by things that provoke sadness, you will certainly never feel relieved. The key is one; divert your attention and thoughts to something else. Keep yourself busy, so you don't have the opportunity to think about the things that make you sad.

7. Try new activities

It's okay to be sad, but don't forget to please yourself. Try to keep yourself busy with activities that you enjoyed or that you couldn't do before.

Also take this opportunity to try something new that will make you forget about feeling sad. For example, you can go on a trip to a vacation destination that you have never visited. That way you can refresh your feelings and thoughts that have been messy.

8. Avoid hurting yourself

Everyone really has their own way to get rid of the sadness they experience. Whatever it is, do things that make you feel good and comfortable.

However, avoid preoccupying yourself with consuming alcohol, eating unhealthy foods, and smoking constantly. These things will not heal your sadness. On the contrary, they only provide temporary pleasure and make your situation worse.

Instead of doing things that make things worse, you should adopt a healthy lifestyle so that your body and mind can gradually improve. Yes, mind and body are related to one another. When you are in good physical shape, you will also feel better emotionally.

So, to improve your overall health, make sure that you get enough sleep, eat high nutritious foods, and exercise diligently.

9. Start journaling

Apart from confiding in the people you trust, you can also pour all of your heart into writing. You can keep a journal or note about any positive things you do and receive each day.

For some people, writing can be a therapy to process emotions. You can also reread your writing to better understand the sadness you are feeling.

Who knows, the turmoil you feel can be commercialized. For example, used as inspiration to make sad song lyrics or sad poetry.

10. Much grateful

Someday there will be a time when you look at the past. Not to mourn it but to understand that everything you experience is part of the flow of your life experience.

Be grateful that you have been in a sad period as the previous day, because by doing so, you will know what gratitude means. In addition, understanding sadness also makes happiness that much sweeter. Isn't it better to feel something than to feel nothing at all?

11. Watch sad movies

Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are other ways you can deal with sadness; watch sad movies! During this time you may think that watching sad movies actually makes you even sadder. Maybe even think of a bad memory that used to make you sad.

But in reality, watching sad movies can actually help you out faster move on . Why is that?

When you watch a film that provokes emotion, it turns out that during that time our brains will release the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin itself is often referred to as the love hormone. In addition, this hormone also plays an important role in creating a desire to socialize with other people and encourages you to be more empathetic and loving.

Quoted in the official website of The Greater Good Science Center belonging to the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), oxytocin makes a person more sensitive to situations and social activities around him. to social activities around him.

This sensitivity will gradually make you realize that you are not alone in this world. You can also realize that you are not the only miserable human being in the world. There are lots of people out there who may be going through something worse than yours.

Clinical psychologist, Jessica Magidson also said the same thing. Dr. Magidson said that watching sad movies often can make us feel happier. The reason is, the film encourages us to reflect on ourselves so that we can feel grateful for what we have in life.

It doesn't stop there. Sad movies also teach us to learn from the mistakes of others. Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick, Ph.D. as well as a contributing writer at PsychCentral , says humans tend to reflect on the tragedies that have happened to others to reassess their lives.

By seeing the suffering of others, a person learns the meaning of being grateful for the gifts they have received so far.

Sad is different from depression

Sadness is a natural reaction to situations that are uncomfortable or that cause pain. Even so, the feeling of misery caused by sadness can generally subside over time. After you are successful move on from these obstacles, sadness will soon be replaced with relief and happiness in the end.

Unlike depression, which is a long-term mental illness. Depression can affect how you feel, think, and behave, causing you to feel sad all the time. It can even go on for weeks, or more than six months in a row.

A person who is depressed also experiences changes in appetite, sleep, to difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Not only that, people with this condition also tend to close themselves and avoid socializing with their family, partners and close relatives.

He also lost interest in the things he used to love so much. Depression makes a person always haunted by feelings of guilt, helplessness, and hopelessness. In its severe stages, depression can also make sufferers have the desire to self-harm or even commit suicide.

Get over sadness by consulting a psychologist

Have you tried various ways but the sadness doesn't go away? Do not hesitate to consult the nearest doctor or psychologist.

Most people think that the person who goes to a psychologist is “crazy”. In fact, not so. Anyone can consult a psychologist in order to maintain their mental health.

It should be understood that mental health is just as important as the health of your body. So, you don't need to be diagnosed with depression or have mental disorders first and then go to a psychologist.

So, why go to a psychologist? There are various reasons why you should consult a psychologist.

• First, they are trained and experienced to really listen to their clients. Through a series of education and training, psychologists have the ability to explore the root of the problem based on your story. Not only that, psychologists also play a role in helping you deal with problems.
• Second, psychologists are also neutral figures. No matter how bad the problem you have, they will not judge you. Yes, psychologists have no personal desire for you to do things that are not in line with your values.
• Third, the psychologist guarantees the confidentiality of your problem. Psychologists are professionals, so they will keep your secrets well. So, don't be afraid to be honest and tell how you feel.