Sometimes we say we are tired, but the reality is that we are sad

by Shirley Marie Bradby

February 02, 2019

Sometimes we say we are tired, but the reality is that we are sad
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Sometimes there are days when one feels constantly tired, every gesture seems to us to be more difficult as if by reflection, and consequently, even the days appear dull and meaningless.

We can even go to the doctor to look for an organic cause, imagining a lack of vitamins or an illness, but without detecting anything out of the norm.

Then, we understand that it is a type of sadness or melancholy and in fact, when this feeling takes hold of us, we consider it to be something pathological from which we must free ourselves as soon as possible.

Yet, there are no drugs that can make it go away; and as long as this emotion does not extend over time interfering with our life, sadness - not to be confused with depression - represents an opportunity to grow as a person.

via lamenteesmaravillosa.com

 Kyle Broad/unsplash

Kyle Broad/unsplash

Our emotional state is regulated by the brain: in particular, it is the amygdala that causes us to experience this feeling of lethargy and physical exhaustion. This drop in energy has a clear purpose: to encourage introspection. In those cases, in fact, the brain suggests that the time has come to stop and reflect on certain aspects of our lives, which we must probably change. 

Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to this emotion, because it signals a malaise that, if ignored, can over time turn into a problem much more difficult to manage and solve. 

Far from disdaining it, sadness has three virtues that we must learn to recognize and accept: let's see which ones.

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 Ben White/unsplash

Ben White/unsplash

  • 1. It is a warning sign. The loss of energy, fatigue, and lack of mental resources are just the symptoms of general discomfort that pertains to the need to change something in our lives: we must understand what it is by seriously reflecting. 
  • 2. It is the result of denial. Sometimes, no matter how much reasoning continues whispering something to us, we stubbornly refuse to listen to it and still deny the fact that something needs to be changed - a relationship, work, etc. 
  • 3. It is a preservation instinct. Sadness, through tiredness, invites us to take a break, and distance ourselves from the daily hustle and bustle to try to understand what is wrong with our lives. Only by responding to this physical demand can we safeguard our self-esteem and mental integrity. 

Change in life is inevitable and healthy, therefore, the sooner we accept it and learn to recognize the warning signs, the better we can enjoy our existence.

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