Do you feel sad too? (Feeling Sad) Knowing these things will bring you great relief!

It's normal to feel sad and anxious at times in our lives. Just like sunshine and rain, happiness and sadness come and go in our lives. But when you feel sad, you may feel like this sadness will never go away, like the whole world is against you. But in reality, most of the time, the feeling of sadness doesn't last that long. The important thing is, when you're ready, to know how to help yourself heal. Shall we talk about that today?

Why do we feel sad? Is this normal?

In fact, sadness is a very normal feeling that we feel as humans. We all experience this feeling from childhood. Think about it, when your favorite toy breaks, when you have a little disagreement with a friend at school, or when you don't do as well as you expected on an exam... We can feel sad for small things like that, and sometimes even bigger things.

Sometimes, it doesn't have to be a big deal to feel sad. There are days when you just feel a certain weight on your heart, and you can't even figure out why. That's normal. The important thing is to realize that you're not alone in feeling this way.

Remember, sadness is not a mistake or a weakness on your part. It is a part of life.

Most of the time, this sadness will subside within a few days, maybe even a few hours. However, it is very important to know ways to bring comfort to the heart when it is feeling sad.

Things you can do to calm yourself down when you're feeling sad

Okay, so when you're feeling sad, there are a few simple things you can try to help yourself feel a little lighter.

Give your feeling a real name.

This may seem like a simple thing, but it's very important. Tell yourself how you're feeling, either to yourself or to someone you trust. Saying something like, "I'm sad today" or "I feel bad about what happened" can help ease the burden on your mind. If possible, try to identify the reason for your sadness. For example, "I'm sad because my friend lied to me." But don't just dwell on it. It's enough to understand the reason.

"I am not alone" - remember this

When you feel sad, you may think, "Why is this happening to me?" But in reality, the feeling you are experiencing is experienced by millions of other people at different times. Imagine that your cricket team has lost a match. It's not just you who feels sad, but the rest of the team and the people who supported that team feel sad. So, when you feel sad, don't blame yourself. Be kind to yourself. This feeling will go away after a while, and you will feel better again.

Take a breath and calm down.

When you feel sad, allow yourself to feel that feeling for a while. In the meantime, try to take calm, slow, deep breaths. Close your eyes if possible. You should feel your stomach expand as you breathe in, and contract as you breathe out. Try taking calm, deep breaths like this three or four times. Perhaps the sadness in your heart will subside a little, and you will begin to feel a little lighter.

"I can overcome this!" - Think positively

Not everything in life goes the way we expect. Things can go wrong, and expectations can be disappointed. But don't give up just because they happened. Tell yourself, "Okay, I didn't do this right this time. But it's okay, I'll try better next time." Don't beat yourself up. Praise yourself for trying. Then, think about what you need to improve on, and get ready to try again.

Other ways to bring happiness to the mind

You may already be feeling a little better after trying the things mentioned above. But there are a few other things that can help you.

Share your sorrow with someone you trust.

It's a great relief to talk about what you're feeling with someone you trust. It could be your mother, father, brother, sister, best friend, teacher, or even your life partner. Just having them listen to you can take a lot of the weight off your shoulders. Sometimes, they'll say, "It's no wonder you're feeling so sad, I understand why you're feeling that way." That's a great feeling to hear, isn't it? Sometimes, you just need to talk about it more. Talking about your sadness can help you get over it.

Think about the good things in life.

When you are ready to let go of your sadness and start to feel happier, think about some of the good things in your life. Think about something small or good that happened today. Did someone treat you kindly? Did something go better than you expected? Also, think about your favorite books, songs, and movies. Think about the people you love, the places you love, and your pet. If possible, write these good things down on a piece of paper, read them out loud, or draw a picture. You may not feel like doing these things right now, but try. When you think about the good things, it is harder to keep the sadness in your mind.

Exercise for the body, joy for the mind!

One of the best ways to get rid of the dull feeling of sadness is to get your body moving. Play a sport you like, ride a bike, dance, run. At least go for a short walk. Draw a picture, sing a song, or spend time with someone you love. Have a little fun, and your mind will feel happy too.

Learning to deal with sadness takes some practice, but it will help you make more room for happiness in your heart.

Is this sadness simple or a symptom of depression?

While it's normal for us all to feel sad from time to time, sometimes this sadness can be profound, last a long time, and interfere with daily activities. This deep, long-term sadness is what we call depression. Depression can affect anyone of any age, even very young children.

What is depression?

Simply put, depression is not just sadness. It is a more complex condition. Depression can occur when a person is lonely or sad for a long time, or when they are going through a very difficult period in their life. Depression can also be triggered by things like separation from loved ones, family problems, or the death of a loved one.

What are the symptoms of depression?

If you suspect that the sadness you're feeling is more than just normal sadness, perhaps depression, take a moment to see if you have these symptoms:

• Feeling sad and hopeless all the time: This feeling does not subside for days or weeks.
• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy: Boredom with hobbies, hanging out with friends, etc.
• Sleep changes: Either not sleeping properly or sleeping too much.
• Changes in appetite: loss of appetite or overeating, resulting in weight loss or gain.
• Feeling tired all the time, feeling lifeless.
• Difficulty concentrating, making decisions.
• Thinking that one is worthless and a burden to others.
• Constantly feeling anxious and restless.
• In some cases, if you feel suicidal or talk about it, it is definitely a serious sign.

Having one or two of these symptoms doesn't mean you have depression. But if you have several of these symptoms that persist for more than two weeks, it's important to see a doctor or a qualified counselor.

If you think you have depression, don't be afraid to ask for help!

If you think you have depression, or if you feel like your sadness is too much to bear, please don't be afraid to ask for help. It can be much more helpful to get help from someone than to struggle with these things alone.

Who can I ask for help from?

You can talk to a trusted adult about this. It could be your parents, a relative, a teacher, your family doctor, or a qualified counselor or therapist. They are ready to help you.

Who is a therapist? How does he help?

A therapist is someone who is specially trained to treat mental health problems. You can talk to them about your feelings and thoughts. A therapist does not blame you or judge you. They listen to you, help you understand your problems, and help you find new ways to cope with them. Many people, both young and old, have found that seeing a therapist can help them improve their mental health. It is not something to be ashamed of, but a good decision to make for yourself.

Remember, when you're sad or suffering from a condition like depression, there's always someone to talk to. It can be a great relief to know that someone else knows what's on your mind. And that other person can help you.

While it's important to talk about the bad, don't forget to talk about the good too. Especially when you're feeling down, focusing on the good things in life can help you feel hopeful and excited about life.

Finally, the most important thing to say to you

So, we've talked about a lot today, haven't we? The most important thing I want to tell you is that sadness is a part of life. It comes and goes. But, you don't have to suffer through that sadness alone.

• Recognize your feelings and allow them to be.
• Try simple ways to calm your mind.
• Never be afraid to ask for help. Talk to someone you trust.
• If the sadness persists, it could be depression. Seek medical advice.
• You are not alone. You are valuable.

If this article has brought you even a little relief, that would be the greatest happiness. Keep smiling always!

` Grief, Mental Health, Depression, Emotion Management, Counseling, Sri Lanka, Sinhala