Caught between the complexity of daily life, work stress and social pressures, many people struggle with a feeling of emotional emptiness called ‘languishing‘. Although it is not as serious as depression or burnout, it reduces life energy.
Experts note that this situation can cause a decrease in motivation and a decrease in life energy, adding: “The monotony of daily life can cause feelings such as loss of excitement and aimlessness.”
Languishing can lead to feelings of hopelessness and inner emptiness
The word “languishing” can be traced to the early Latin root word “languere,” which means to feel faint or unwell. However, in modern psychology, the concept has often been referred to as the opposite of flourishing. In 2002, psychologist and sociologist Corey Keyes was the first to describe both concepts as related to mental health.
On the other hand, in positive psychology, which centers on experiences and circumstances that contribute to well-being, flourishing is considered the state in which a person feels positive emotions toward life in general. This allows them to function mentally, emotionally, and socially. In other words, flourishing refers to mental wellness.
Briefly, PsychCentral points out that İf you’re not happy, but you aren’t sad either, you may be languishing.
Languishing is an emotional state in which life energy and motivation are low, but is not a serious mental disorder such as depression or burnout. This situation may occur due to factors such as mass events, work stress, family problems, and may lead to feelings of loss of interest, hopelessness and inner emptiness. Languishing is an emotional state that has negative effects on mental health. It is a condition that causes a person’s life energy and motivation to decrease, but is not a serious mental disorder such as depression or burnout.
It can weaken a person’s ability to recognize and manage their emotions
If this situation lasts for a long time or the difficult feelings increase, it can lead to major depression.
A clinical study published on the journal SSM Mental Health in 2022; people in a languishing state at the start of the study were more likely to develop depression or anxiety within 4 years, regardless of their age group. The study authors used languishing as a baseline. But using moderate well-being and flourishing as baselines helps illustrate this increase risk more clearly.
A 2013 study found a strong link between languishing and stress. Healthline article suggests that when you feel overwhelmed, that stress can bleed out into other parts of your life. For example, burnout at work can make it hard to relax later at home. You may not have the bandwidth to pursue other things that make you feel fulfilled, such as artistic projects or family bonding.
Languishing also has an impact on emotional health. It can weaken a person’s ability to recognize and manage their emotions; It can reduce self-confidence, self-esteem and self-esteem. However, it may reduce a person’s capacity to experience positive emotions such as happiness, joy and excitement.
A person with Languishing may also experience problems in their social relationships
The individual with Languishing may have feelings such as not being able to find a meaning or purpose in life, loss of interest and excitement, hopelessness and inner emptiness.
The general life satisfaction, energy levels and motivation level of these people may also be negatively affected. A person in this situation may be less resilient to life’s challenges, less productive, less creative and less successful. A person with Languishing may also experience problems in their social relationships. It can also cause a person to feel lonely, isolated and incomprehensible.
Reasons of Languishing
So what factors can put people in a state of languishing? A few reasons can be mentioned here. Let’s look at these:
• Speed of modern life: Today, individuals lead busy lives in order to be successful in many areas such as business, education, family and social life. This can lead to negative emotions such as stress, pressure, fatigue and burnout. Additionally, people may neglect their needs such as taking time for themselves, focusing on hobbies or interests, resting and enjoying themselves. This may trigger languishing.
• Social isolation: People may have to restrict their social relationships due to their circumstances and large-scale events such as mass events. This can cause people to experience feelings of loneliness, incomprehension, and lack of support. Social connections are an important factor that positively affects people’s mood. Social isolation is effective in experiencing this situation.
• Personal difficulties: Situations such as health problems, economic difficulties, family problems, and traumatic events can negatively affect people’s mental health. It is important to develop appropriate coping strategies to deal with such challenges. Otherwise, languishing may occur.
Feelings such as monotony of daily life, loss of excitement, aimlessness; Uncertainties increase the level of anxiety and decrease the sense of control; Loss of interest can cause people to feel empty and meaningless, their motivation to decrease and their energy to decrease.
Strategies to relieve or prevent languishing:
Sharing your feelings can help reduce emotional burden and restore your emotional balance. Reassure yourself by talking to friends, family or a professional.
Get healthy habits:
A healthy diet, regular exercise and adequate sleep are important factors that support your mental health. You can also improve your mood by taking good care of your body.
Make time for hobbies and interests:
Making time for personal interests and hobbies can help you stay motivated and increase your mental vitality. You can increase your life energy by doing activities you enjoy.
Make social connections:
Communicating with loved ones can help you create a social support network. Close relationships can strengthen your emotional balance. You can improve your mood by avoiding social isolation. Reward and appreciate yourself. Get away from stress by taking time for yourself.
If you think these methods are not working, get professional help:
If the languishing episode lasts for a long time or the difficult sensations increase, consider consulting a specialist. Professional support is important to maintain emotional balance.
These strategies are behaviors or habits that can positively impact the languishing condition. Languishing requires people to take conscious steps to protect their emotional health in the face of life’s vicissitudes. Taking time for yourself, taking care of yourself, and seeking professional help when necessary can help maintain emotional balance.