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Feeling down
Being sad or feeling down are emotions we have all felt at some point in our lives and we might feel it from time to time. It’s okay to feel this way, everyone does! It’s just one of the many emotions we experience.
Sometimes, we might feel some slight sadness that is only temporary, like if a friend cancels plans with us. Sometimes, the feeling might be a bit more intense. We might feel sadder about major things happening in our life, like not making it on the sports team we were dreaming of joining. It is completely normal to feel like this. These sad feelings usually go away as time passes and we accept or become okay with the circumstances.
When we feel sad, it can feel like nothing is going right in our lives, and can cause us to feel
really upset about other parts of our life. But, we can manage our feelings:
Reach out to friends and family. Being close to people when we feel sad can help us to not feel so alone. Don’t be afraid to share how you’re feeling. When we talk about our emotions, it can help us understand them better. And you’ll see that your friends or family may have gone through a similar situation and can relate to you.
Ask yourself if there is a different way you can think about the situation? Sometimes we need to see the situation from a different perspective or angle. It can be hard to do, but this challenge may help you to have a different outlook on the situation you’re going through.
When things happen to us, it can be all we think about. We focus on all the things that make us sad and it might seem like everything is going wrong in our lives. Instead, get into the habit of changing your focus from the negative to the positive things in life. Think about all that you are happy about or grateful for. Do you have a best friend that is always there for you? A hobby that makes you happy? A pet you enjoy spending time with? Think about these positive things in your life!
Think of the things that you enjoy doing and do more of them, especially in these times when you don’t feel good. Doing some exercises, spending time doing things you enjoy such as reading, watching movies, or going to the mall with friends. It’s important to do some activities that you know will put you in a good mood.
Feeling sad from time to time is normal. But, it can feel like the sadness is taking over our emotions and mood. It can make everyday life a bit more difficult to deal with. If you start to experience this feeling and it lasts for more than a couple of weeks, it could be a sign of something called depression. Feeling sad is not the same as being depressed. It can be difficult to tell the difference, but one way to know is that sadness will pass on its own, but depression will stick around.
People who are depressed might feel many negative emotions, or they might feel nothing at all. Here are some common signs of depression:
It is important to know that depression is completely treatable. With the right help and support, things can get much better! This might feel overwhelming, but we can also take small steps to feeling better. Do something nice and fun for ourselves, like finding a new artistic hobby, spending time with people who make us feel good about ourselves, doing things we enjoy, playing with a pet, watching TV or movies to distract us from the negative thoughts. Whatever makes you feel good, do it! These small steps can go a long way.
If taking these small steps is not enough, and you feel like you need more, it’s really important to talk to someone you trust, like a parent or family member, a school counselor, or your doctor, who can provide you with more support. You can also use online tools, like the Bloom app.
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