Why We Need to Take Languishing More Seriously

The struggle to recover from the pandemic and resume a semblance of normality has resulted in more use of the word “languishing” than ever before to describe how many people are feeling.

"Languishing" describes the feeling pretty well but using it can prevent people from taking it seriously and recognizing that they don’t have to feel that way.

If certain signs and symptoms persist or increase, it could be a sign that they need to get help. Languishing must be taken seriously, even if it doesn’t fall into the category of a diagnosable medical condition.

What is languishing?

Corey Keyes, a sociologist, first named the condition “languishing” in 2002 and identified it as the antithesis of flourishing. Languishing can be hard to identify because it isn’t a diagnosable medical condition. It’s more a series of feelings, such as stagnation and hollowness. Life seems purposeless, and even simple pleasures lose their meaning.

Languishers feel unable to focus and become aimless. They may feel there is nothing to look forward to and that they’re just going through the motions and trying to get through each day.

The game golf can offer up some interesting life lessons to those who are languishing. What golf teaches about life can help them in many ways, from how to deal with disappointment to set small achievable goals so they can stay on track.

Where does languishing fall on the mental health spectrum?

Many psychologists believe it is wrong to look at mental health in a one-dimensional way where one side represents mental well-being and the other side represents a diagnosed mental disorder. Just because people don’t have a mental disorder doesn’t mean that they have mental well-being and sometimes those with mental disorders do have mental well-being.



A sense of mental well-being comes from things like life satisfaction, positive emotions, healthy relationships, and a sense of meaning. Some people who haven’t been diagnosed with a mental health condition may still be far from getting the most out of life. Languishing may not appear in academic papers as often as conditions like PTSD or depression but it is probably more common.

For people who are languishing, everything becomes a struggle and the normal stressors of work and life hit them harder. Their reserves for moving forward are depleted and this can be the beginning of a downward spiral for them if they ignore it.

When does languishing become a mental health risk factor?

There are certain symptoms associated with languishing that are also symptoms of mental health disorders like depression, schizophrenia, and PTSD.

A severe lack of motivation (avolition) that goes way beyond being lazy or unwilling is a symptom of languishing and it can affect many areas of life. Periods of isolation can cause this lack of motivation which is why many people are feeling this way in the context of the pandemic.



The inability to feel pleasure in activities people normally find pleasurable is called anhedonia and this is also present in languishers. It can be a lack of pleasure in food, sex, social interaction, or physical touch.

According to the latest reports of professional essay writers, knowing that these symptoms are associated with certain mental disorders does not mean individuals should start diagnosing themselves. What it should do when they experience such symptoms is make them aware that if they increase or are persistent, they need to seek help. Recognizing when they are languishing could prevent mental health conditions from developing in the future.

How can people identify languishing in themselves?

People may find they are not as present as they used to be and a lack of focus can make each task feel draining. They may feel numb and disinterested in talking to others. They may feel no pleasure from all the little things that make life worth living, like good food, friendships, and hobbies.

The difference between languishing and burnout

Burnout and languishing may share similar symptoms but burnout is a work-related phenomenon, whereas languishing is an overall state that affects all areas of life.

The difference between languishing and depression

Depression is a clinical condition that is more severe than languishing or burnout. Depression and languishing may present similarly but depression is often accompanied by feelings of worthlessness and thoughts of suicide. Depression extends to all areas of life and has to last for at least six months to be diagnosed. Those experiencing languishing or burnout may be at higher risk of developing depression.

Pandemic languishing

The COVID-19 pandemic upended society and people began to feel worn down by fear of illness, uncertainties, and grief for thwarted plans or a lost way of life.

The isolation made it worse for many people.

Seeing people getting sick, dying, losing jobs, homes and future plans desensitized people to trauma. When the stressors started to lift and things began getting back to “normal,” they suddenly had to process the weight of what they couldn’t acknowledge previously.



People aren’t alone in their “ pandemic languishing,” as Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, called it in a New York Times article.

Unrelenting feelings of dread and fear can put individuals into a state of languishing. Dealing with the physical symptoms of long-haul COVID-19 is challenging enough but many people are struggling emotionally as a result of the pandemic. A recent Italian study found that healthcare workers who were languishing in 2020 were three times more likely to develop PTSD.

What can employers do about languishing employees?

In situations where conversations about mental health are uncommon or not encouraged, people may feel that as they aren’t going through a crisis, there’s no point in talking about how they’re feeling. It’s important for employers to normalize conversations about mental health and support those who may not feel comfortable opening up or utilizing resources available to them.

Researchers say that employers can help employees to avoid languishing by giving them the resources and time they need, setting clear goals and acknowledging their progress. When employees immerse themselves in an activity and avoid frequent task switching, it can help.
How do people go from languishing to flourishing?

Flourishing is characterized by connectedness to life, relationships and work. People who are flourishing feel confident in their ability to improve their own mental health. A sense of presence and connection is the opposite of languishing.

The PERMA model: Dr. Martin Seligman developed the PERMA model to explain the components that lead to flourishing. It stands for Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishments. A focus on each of these five areas can lead to greater mental well-being. Flourishing can be learned or practiced and the more effort people put in the more they flourish. They can experience many positive effects on their lives, such as feeling more energetic and alive, being sick less often, having clear life goals and showing resilience.



Therapy can be a tool for navigating the feelings associated with languishing. Cognitive behavioral therapy , for instance, helps people to reframe their negative thinking and explore healthy behaviors that can help them to cope. Practicing mindfulness, which involves experiencing feelings moment to moment in the present without judgment, can also be helpful.

Conclusion

Languishing doesn’t reveal itself in dramatic ways so people may not recognize it. Even when they realize they aren’t really thriving, they may not realize they have the power to change this. The good news is that this common condition is solvable. It may take an ongoing effort to flourish but with some support and practice, it is possible to knock languishing on the head and live a more fulfilling life.

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About the author:

Tiffany Harper is an experienced freelance writer, who’s been working in the well-being area for two years now. She likes to share her experience on social media and different blogs. Half a year ago she provided online consultations for help writing college papers from UK Best Essays.

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