What is Languishing, the new syndrome of our age?. A feeling of hopelessness, a monotonous life, anxiety about the future, economic difficulties, loss of confidence, self-isolation, masking emotions, all these symptoms make you feel like you are experiencing depression, burnout, but the real reason is that you are experiencing languishing syndrome.
So why do we experience this? Why do we feel this way?
In the uncertain early days of the pandemic, our brain's threat detection system, called the amygdala, was probably on high alert in "fight or flight" mode. Once we learned that masks helped protect us, but washing the packaging didn't help, we probably developed routines that eased our anxiety. But the pandemic continued, and intense distress turned into chronic unpleasantness. Not being able to adapt to our new "Normal" after the difficult process has left many of us with a feeling of emptiness. For this reason, as I said at the beginning, Languishing is not defined as "major depression" or "burnout" syndrome, which is a mood disorder, because individuals do not have the lack of energy in burnout nor the feeling of hopelessness in depression.
What can we do about it? How can we get over languishing?
Staying in the moment can be the antidote to Languishing. Staying in the moment means being in the same place physically and spiritually. Capturing time, space and sense of self in the here and now can be a meaningful challenge to cope with Languishing. Focusing on the breath and the body is one of the most important ways to stay in the moment. Professional support, psychotherapy and medication are also effective. Psychotherapy is aimed at understanding and accepting the situation, establishing a daily routine, maintaining social relationships, stress management, coping with uncertainty, self-care, positive thinking and goal setting. Remember, asking others for help is a powerful step. Your family, friends or a professional can help you cope with languishing.
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21 February 2024, 16:21
