Languishing vs Depression
Have you come across the term “languishing” since the pandemic started? I hadn’t either, until a friend of mine brought it up during a casual chat over a glass of rose. We were discussing depression and my friend mentioned languishing. We ended up describing it as part of a spectrum. If you think of flourishing and languishing as two ends of a spectrum, where would you place yourself?
So, what exactly is languishing, and how can you recognize if you’re experiencing it? In this article, we’ll dive into what languishing feels like, how it affects your mental health, and what you can do to cope with it.
What Does Languishing Feel Like?
Imagine waking up on a gloomy, drizzly morning in the UK, feeling uncertain about the day ahead. You’re not buzzing with excitement, but you’re not deeply depressed either. It’s like you’re drifting in a sea of indifference. That’s what languishing feels like. Does that sound familiar?
How Languishing Impacts Mental Health
While languishing isn’t as severe as depression or anxiety, it can still affect your mental health. It’s like a constant drizzle that slowly dampens your spirit over time. Here’s how it can affect you:
Addressing Languishing
Acknowledging that you’re languishing is the first step toward dealing with it. Here’s how you can start addressing it:
Remember, it’s common to feel like you’re languishing, and it’s perfectly okay to ask for help and support. Just like the UK’s weather, our emotions can change, and brighter days will come with the right strategies and mindset. You’ve got this, and after the rain, the sun will shine again.
In the bigger picture, languishing is just a temporary phase. It’s like a cloudy day in the UK – it may not be the brightest, but there’s still beauty to be found in the grey. So, embrace your moments of languishing, enjoy a cup of tea, and remember that the sun will come out again.
I hope this blog has helped you understand that languishing is a real thing. You don’t need medication for it; just take the time to recognize it and address it in a way that suits you. Recognizing that your mood needs support is crucial, and then do what feels right for that mood.
Let me know if you’ve been languishing and how it’s affected you. When I first experienced it, I had no idea what was going on or how to handle it. Now, if I feel like I’m languishing, I know it’s a sign from my mind to take a break.
