10 Apr April 2021 Newsletter
Hello,
Happy Easter, I hope you are well!
As it now approaches a full year since we have been living in these emotionally demanding and draining circumstances, one emotion that we all seem to be feeling more of is sadness. Everybody feels sad sometimes and that is perfectly normal. Sadness can be triggered when things don’t go how we wanted them it to, such as when we lose something we love, or when someone says something hurtful to us. In these situations, every one of us might feel sad for a while. However, sadness is made worse when we keep thinking about what makes us sad, and by remembering our sad memories over and over again. This is when it can affect our mood and we can then begin to feel sadder for longer.
Sadness can then stop us feeling interested in things. It can start changing how we eat and sleep and can even make us feel angrier than usual. All of this is normal but if we keep ignoring our sadness, we feel it more strongly and for longer. So don’t ignore it, name it! Yet the emotion of sadness maybe isn’t as bad as we might think.
This sounds peculiar I know but, by feeling sad occasionally it can help us feel happier when something good happens. You are probably thinking that sounds a bit weird and you are right. You see if we could have the perfect life all the time, our happiness would start to reduce because we could start to get used to it. Then we would need more happy and exciting things to make us feel even happier. But when we feel sad occasionally, it helps us to realise how great happiness feels and so it isn’t maybe as negative emotion as we think.
If your child is presenting with more sadness than usual, have a look inside our Blinks novel Sad, or if you would like to understand more about the psychology of sadness and learn some valuable tips and strategies to support you or your loved ones then, the manual may also help.
Sad Novel – Book2Look link
http://www.book2look.com/book/DlqtUCobHG
Sad Manual – Book2Look Link
https://www.book2look.com/book/ufvjoRPmt4
Top tips for dealing with low mood:
- Label your sadness. It is okay to feel sad and it is very normal
- Talk to someone you know and trust as this helps you to understand sadness better and weaken the grip it has
- Give yourself some time to accept the situation and learn what you could have done differently if anything, but then let it go
- Reduce the time you spend thinking sad thoughts or remembering sad memories, that is like listening to Sad FM!
- Be more grateful for the positive things in your life as this boosts the happy chemical in the brain – make a list of all the things you are thankful for
- Keep a happiness log – try and add 3-5 things a day that put a smile on your face
- Remember sadness is normal and we all need a little dose to make the happier times better
I look forward to checking in with you next month when we will be discussing the beautifulness of being shy.
This download comes from Andrea Chatten and Unravel, a team of specialised Emotional and Behavioural Psychologists and Practitioners who provide bespoke support for children, young people, families and professionals.
Click here to visit our website and find out more about how Unravel can help.
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Supporting mental health in 2021
What we have learned throughout this pandemic is so applicable and transferrable to other difficult life events too. Treat yourself and your loved ones to some tips on staying psychologically healthy at emotionally challenging times – Healthy minds, happy kids.
Click here to find out more and buy your copy.
Thanks so much for your interest. I look forward to being in touch with you.
Take Care
Andrea
Andrea Chatten
Founder – Unravel
Children’s Emotional & Behavioural Psychologist
unravelsupport.co.uk