Languishing: How to Cope With Languishing

Languishing is an emotional state marked by mental fatigue and feelings of personal, professional, and existential stagnation. People who experience languishing may feel stuck, directionless, and have a sense of disconnection from their lives and others.

Psychologist and sociologist Corey Keyes first used the term “languishing” to describe a sub-optimal state of being, opposite the active engagement of “flourishing,” in the 2002 article “The Mental Health Continuum: From Languishing to Flourishing in Life.”

While symptoms of languishing can be similar to symptoms of depression, mental health professionals do not consider languishing a mental health condition or clinical illness. Languishing is essentially the absence of mental health. Languishing can increase the chances of developing mental health disorders like generalized anxiety and major depressive disorder.

Some people describe the state of languishing as feeling “meh” or “blah.” Consider the following signs and symptoms of languishing:

1. 1. Demotivation: One of the common signs of languishing is experiencing a lack of motivation to engage in tasks that were once simple and enjoyable. You might be languishing if you lack interest in personal projects, social obligations, or work tasks.
2. 2. Directionless: Languishing can feel like you are in existential limbo because you lack direction. Your mood might fall between terrible and great.
3. 3. Disillusionment: Feeling a lingering sense of disillusionment with yourself and the world can be a sign of languishing. Life can sometimes be disappointing, but if you regularly feel disappointed, you may be languishing.
4. 4. Irritability: Languishing can manifest as a persistent moodiness. You may find yourself more easily bored and irritated by everyday things.
5. 5. Withdrawal: A languishing person often withdraws from friends and loved ones. You might find it challenging to be comfortable, open, and intimate with those who are usually close to you.

Languishing can be challenging to identify and overcome. Consider the following ways to cope with languishing:

1. 1. Change your routine. Starting a new hobby, waking up earlier, exercising more, or shifting when you do recreational activities can all help you cope with languishing.
2. 2. Practice mindfulness. Meditating and taking emotional inventory can help you deal with this feeling. You can gain insight into your behavior and help yourself move forward by keeping track of your positive emotions and negative emotions.
3. 3. Reach out for help. Social isolation is a cause and symptom of languishing. Making the effort to connect with friends can be empowering, and asking for help can be an excellent way to open up and heal.
4. 4. Take a break. Burnout can cause languishing, and it can also be a symptom. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unmotivated at work, take a vacation. Ask for a day off and take the time to concentrate on self-care and well-being.
5. 5. Try therapy. Healthcare professionals can help you develop a care plan to overcome the feeling of languishing. Talk therapy, cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), and medication can help patients cope with languishing.

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