According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), emotionally healthy individuals have a capacity to process and express their emotional experiences in a productive way that reduces stress. Many life transitions, both positive and negative, can produce a sense of loss, sadness and anger. Acknowledging sadness and seeking support through difficult times can be critical to stress management and physical health.
Emotional Health
Experts at the American Academy of Family Physicians note that emotional health is defined by how people handle difficult emotions. For example, many of life's challenges, such as the loss of a job or death of a family member, can leave us with a marked sense of sadness and even anger. Doctors note that the expression of these feelings is critical to maintaining stability both physically and emotionally. When we feel sad it important to express those feelings to others in appropriate ways or use activities such as meditation or exercise to release the built-up stress.
The Mind/Body Connection
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, our bodies react to the way we feel. If we are sad or stressed about a situation, our bodies might respond with a variety of physical systems, such as headaches, difficulty sleeping, and weight loss or weight gain. When we monitor our emotions and identify how we feel, we can choose effective tools to care for our health. When people do not acknowledge and work through emotions such as sadness, they can often develop unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as overeating or substance abuse to avoid the difficult feelings or to find a sense of comfort.
Coping with Sadness
Dr. Edward T. Creagan of the Mayo Clinic suggests that people take particular care of their health in the aftermath of a sad or upsetting event. Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, and talking to trusted friends or a counselor are all helpful tools for coping with sadness. When people use these methods for self-care, they often find that the period of sadness passes within a reasonable amount of time.
Sadness and Depression
When sadness is not expressed or processed in healthy ways, it often can lead to depression. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that this is particularly common among people who use alcohol or drugs to cope with sad feelings. Many of these substances depress the central nervous system and leave the individual feeling increasingly more depressed. People having a particularly difficult time with persistent feelings of sadness should consider consulting a medical professional or therapist for additional support.
Treatment for Emotional Issues
People who struggle with healthy management of emotions often find that they benefit from counseling or support groups. Doctors at the American Academy of Family Physicians note that sadness, when not processed and communicated, can lead to destructive emotional patterns, such as anger management issues. By working with professional counselors or peer support groups, people can learn to identify how they feel and how to cope in healthy ways.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Mind/Body Connection: How Your Emotions Affect Your Health
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Mental Health: Keeping Your Emotional Health
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Grieving: Facing Illness, Death and Other Losses
- Mayo Clinic:Grief: A Mayo Clinic Doctor Confronts Painful Emotions
- Kidshealth: Why Am I So Sad?
