What does melancholic mean?
If a person is melancholic, he feels depressed, melancholy and sad. But what exactly does that mean and how do you best deal with it?
The nature of melancholy
Melancholic people are in a state of mind of thoughtfulness, sadness and dejection. Melancholy is not triggered by a specific cause, but rather means a pain in relation to the world and life, which is characterized by joylessness and gloom. If a person tends to be melancholic, they fall into this mood without a specific trigger. The word melancholy originally comes from ancient Greek. There, “melancholic” stood for a “black gall” that came from the old Teach the body fluids. The terms world-weariness, despair or gloom are often used as synonyms for melancholy.
However, a melancholic mood should not be equated with depression. Melancholy is characterized by the fact that it occurs for no reason and is temporary. Depression, on the other hand, is a serious mental illness that can be triggered by internal or external influences and must be treated. However, it is not easy to tell these states apart and the transitions can be fluid.
How is melancholy expressed?
A person in a melancholic state usually has a range of symptoms that can be both physical and psychological. The psychological symptoms include: b. Pessimism, joylessness, sadness, self-pity, depression and self-doubt. Physically, a melancholic state of mind can also become noticeable through inner restlessness, sleep disorders or loss of appetite. Melancholy is often accompanied by social isolation.
In Romanticism it was considered the ultimate form of poetry; it made the impossible possible, it...
What can you do when you are in a melancholic mood?
First of all, melancholy is not something bad per se. Many artists have created true works of art in melancholic moods and appreciated their melancholy. Melancholic phases can also have positive effects. Phases of inner contemplation invite you to reflect and slow down. They can also sharpen your own perception and promote creativity. Melancholic phases are also a form of coping with life.
Whether you do something about a melancholic mood should always depend on how strong it is is pronounced and whether your own life is significantly affected by it and whether it affects you psychologically feels burdened. If you want to take countermeasures, you can tackle a few things:
- Accept melancholy: First of all, you should recognize and accept your own condition. After a melancholic phase, the world is often viewed in a new way and can also bring with it a new appreciation for one's own life.
- Practice relaxation: Melancholic phases invite you to think and slow down. The peace and quiet that comes with it can be very good for your body and mind. Relaxation exercises can help.
- Go out into nature: If your thoughts are going crazy and are causing psychological stress, it can make sense to go out into nature and exercise in the fresh air. Nature calms us, exercise leads to the release of happiness hormones.
- Be kind to yourself: Even in melancholic phases, it is always helpful to treat yourself to something that is not part of your normal everyday life. A nice meal in the restaurant, a wellness massage or a new dress. Beautiful extras liven up your mood and distract you from dark thoughts.
- Maintain social contacts: People often tend to isolate themselves socially, especially when they are in a melancholic mood. However, meeting friends and planning activities together also helps to cope with sad moods. Social contacts revitalize your soul and also provide distraction.
Melancholy is a matter of disposition and does not necessarily have to be negative. However, if the quality of life is severely limited by it, you can take up some activities that will help counteract this mood.
