How to Manage Sadness

An unexpected circumstance, the loss of someone dear to you or the loss of a dream are all common reasons for people to feel sad. Sadness is a normal emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. However, part of a healthy lifestyle is learning how to control your feelings of sadness so those feelings don't take control of you. If left unchecked, sadness can become something more serious that could require medical attention.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine the source of your sadness. A broken dish may seem like it brought about an episode of sadness, but you should take stock of your feelings and evaluate them. Are you truly sad about the dish, or is it representing something else (for example, a broken promise)? If you treat only the symptoms instead of the source, it can be difficult to manage sadness.

• 2

  Accept that failure is okay. Sadness can occur when you don't accept something that has happened. Instead of questioning why you're not good enough, accept the truth and try to move on. It's okay to feel sadness at the time, but it's not healthy to dwell on something you can't change.

• 3

  Talk about your feelings. Confide in friends, family members or a therapist to help you sort out your feelings. Sometimes, talking to someone you trust is all it takes for you to better manage your feelings of sadness.

• 4

  Write in your journal, explaining your feelings and the circumstances surrounding them. Writing can be a wonderful form of release for many people, allowing you to say things you might not feel confident enough to say to another person. In addition, writing in a journal allows you to go back and track your feelings so you can see what helped to perk up your spirits in the past.

• 5

  Retreat to a relaxing place. When you feel sad, it might be necessary to stop what you're doing and take a break. This may be something as simple as reading a book or listening to music for half an hour or it may be a vacation. What's important is that you take some time to do something relaxing that you enjoy.

• 6

  Take care of yourself. A healthy diet, adequate exercise and plenty of sleep can all help you better manage sadness.

• 7

  Consult with your doctor about your sadness. Sadness that doesn't go away could be clinical depression, a medical condition treatable with antidepressants and therapy.

• 8

  Attend a support group. If you determine that the source of your sadness is a particular issue, such as depression, seek out a specialized support group where you can find coping tips from a professional and support from your peers.