Its intensity varies, but sadness is a normal human emotion that fills us in upsetting, painful, or disappointing situations.
Feeling blue doesn't necessarily mean you are doing something wrong. Rather, it helps us come to terms with the harsh side of reality and move on.
And the Instagram account 'Mad Sad Not Good' is trying to normalize it.
Using the universal language of memes, it shares relatable jokes about everyday struggles, fostering a sense of solidarity and understanding among its followers.
More info: Instagram
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It's difficult to say just how much sadness is normal as there can be a lot of variation in how different people process emotions, but, for example, a survey of 2,000 British adults discovered that on average, they spend three months a year in a glum mood, equating to 96 days a year, or eight days each month.
Interestingly, the new year doesn't start on a good note either, with a quarter feeling at their lowest during January.
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Top winter gloom inducers include the weather, shorter days with dark mornings and evenings, and feeling cold.
Spending time with friends and family is the top way people combat January blues, followed by listening to music, resting, and going outdoors.
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That being said, the average person spends just under an hour a day outdoors in winter and estimates only 44 minutes of that is in direct sunlight.
Furthermore, one in five only gets between 1 and 15 minutes a day under the winter sun’s rays.
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But just as sadness is a natural emotion, so are its remedies. Dr. Shelley James, director at Age of Light Innovations, says that bright light, especially in the morning, can help boost your mood in three naturally powerful ways: by helping the brain to regulate mood hormones, supporting alertness, and making it easier to fall asleep.
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James highlights that simply getting outside into natural daylight can also be enough to top up your mood, as it boosts your body even when the sun isn't breaking through, as well as giving you a chance to get a little exercise.
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"Our modern culture often sends false messages that we are not supposed to be sad, and if we do experience sadness, there is something wrong with us. We must be depressed," clinical psychologist Dr. Carla Shuman writes.
"But sadness is not depression. Sadness is acknowledging that we are feeling the loss of something. So, allow yourself to feel sad, and ironically, it will eventually lead to acceptance, resilience, and hope for the future."
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