Depression is a <a href="https://mind.help/mentalhealth/">mental health </a>condition characterized by extreme sadness that interferes with the daily functioning of our lives. An individual with depression experiences multiple symptoms such as constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or suicidal thoughts. If left untreated, depression can last longer. One <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml">report </a>found that an estimated 17.3 million (7.1%) adults in the United States had at least one major <a href="https://mind.help/topic/major-depressive-disorder/">depressive </a>episode. Sadness and depression often go hand in hand. Hence it is essential to understand the difference between sadness and depression.

The Fundamental Differences Between Sadness & Depression

Depression Lasts Longer Than SadnessSadness is a temporary emotion that fades with time. It can last for a few hours before it starts to fade. Even during the sad phase, there may be moments where you may feel okay. During this, you are able to enjoy the things you love like listening to music, read, or go out with your friends.However, depression is a persistent feeling of sadness. The individual experiencing it finds it difficult to snap out of it. It lasts longer than sadness and you tend to experience other symptoms such as anxiety or suicidal thoughts.

5 Core Differences Between Sadness and Depression

Sadness is an emotional reaction while Depression is an abnormal mental stateEmotions are a normal part of our lives. We all experience happiness, sadness, anger, frustration, disappointment almost every day. Sadness is a natural and healthy emotional response to any unfavourable situation. However, depression is a mental health condition that requires treatment and therapy. The major difference between sadness and depression is that depression occurs for no apparent reason. You tend to feel upset out of the blue and you can’t quite understand why.

Sadness is an emotion while depression is a mental illnessSadness is a basic human emotion. Sadness is an essential part of our journey through life because without feeling sadness you may never know what happiness feels like. It may even prove helpful in difficult life experiences such as break up or rejection.Depression is a mental illness characterized by persistent sadness for no apparent reason. It may also significantly interfere with the individual’s day-to-day functioning.

A person who is depressed must experience depressive symptoms for at least two weeks. Some of the depressive symptoms may include: <ul><li>Lack of motivation</li><li>Disruptive sleeping patterns and eating patterns</li><li>Lack of concentration</li><li>Feeling worthless</li><li>Suicidal thoughts or tendencies</li></ul>

Emotions are an essential aspect of our lives. But it is important to understand that sadness and depression often go hand in hand

Understand yourself and those around you.

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The Fundamental Differences between Sadness and Depression

The past year and a half has demonstrated the power of empathy in the workplace. Now&nbsp;with vaccination rates rising, leaders are&nbsp;reconsidering <a href="https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/4-things-successful-companies-do-to-inspire-great-teamwork.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">how to inspire employees </a>in a hybrid environment.At the same time, workers are increasingly looking for employers whose values are closely aligned with their own. <a href="https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/what-does-it-take-to-lead-people-3-habits-centered-on-emotional-intelligence.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Empathetic leadership </a>may be the key to both.

Want to Be a Better Leader? Embrace Empathy!

Empathetic leaders--those who care about people not just as workers, but as human beings--are multidimensional: Caring and adaptable, with the ability to set clear expectations and have tough conversations, and capable of bringing people along in times of change.

When you value someone, you aren't nice to them for the sake of being nice. Instead, you take the time to understand and meet their needs, and you are honest with them to boost their chances of success.A sense of purpose : Employees who feel valued and supported holistically become connected to a greater purpose, and are more willing to challenge the status quo in creative ways. Higher-quality work:&nbsp;Employees are also empowered to show up as their best selves and do their best work, and are more likely to help support those around them to do the same.

Empathy is about valuing people.

A happier workforce: Empowered workers are engaged, meaning you won't have to replenish a large portion of your workforce every year, saving on recruitment fees and time on training.﻿Enhanced customer synergy: By putting yourself in your customer's shoes, you understand what keeps them up at night and gets them out of bed in the morning, which leads to authentic conversations about how to solve their biggest challenges.

It can be helpful to reflect on your own life to inform how you consider others' positions, says Payne, who offers up his own experience: "When I got into consulting, it was standard to leave home Monday and get back Friday. Now we give people better work-life balance to reduce burnout and improve retention. Reflecting on growing up in the industry has helped me empathize with our people: I want to give them the opportunities that I didn't have early on."

Adopting a service leadership mentality , in which you accept that your role is to create an environment for everyone to not just be successful, but happy. This means recognizing the human spirit and being human yourself.Cultivating approachability so that your staff will be comfortable coming to you in easy and tough situations, rather than worrying or keeping you out of the loop altogether.

Letting every employee know their voice matters and their work makes a difference . This will motivate your team, and a motivated team cares about what happens in the business. Paying equal attention to your teams and customers or clients . You may have 15 calls a day, yet you want to focus as much on that final 15th call as on the first one--both are worthy.

While these methods are tried and true, at the end of the day, every leader needs to employ empathy in a way that is authentic to themselves and the people they interact with, to make a difference in the lives of others.

There's a big difference between being empathetic and being nice. 

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4 Advantages of Leading With Empathy (and What You Risk if You Don’t)

<a href="http://digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html">Digital citizenship </a>requires some wisdom. As you know, you must protect your yourself and your computer from unscrupulous people. But you must also protect your reputation. In an increasingly interconnected world, actions you take online today can affect you far into the future. Prospective colleges, employers, and even acquaintances may be able to <a href="http://nation.time.com/2012/11/15/when-colleges-look-up-applicants-on-facebook-the-unspoken-new-admissions-test/">view your past comments, photos, videos, and activities </a>. As you move forward into adulthood, the choices you make also begin to establish an online personality—a personal “brand.”

Positive Digital Footprint

Social media allow you to showcase your creativity. Consider publishing schoolwork or other projects you are proud of. Create a digital résumé that features your talents and qualifications. Post a one-minute video along with your college application if the university allows it.

Be Creative

The way you communicate on social media will establish your online reputation. Strive to write clear messages that avoid offensive or hurtful language and are free of embarrassing spelling and grammar errors. This is particularly important when you are addressing a public audience.

Be Articulate

Simply being nice can go a long way toward building a positive digital presence. Compliment your friends on social networks. Write constructive comments on other people’s blogs and promote those people’s efforts. Seek out groups that share your interests, and just be friendly in general.

Be friendly and social

Artificial words and actions are easy to spot. Use social media to broadcast your true personality. People respond positively to genuineness.

The Fundamental Differences between Sadness and Depression

4 Advantages of Leading With Empathy (and What You Risk if You Don’t)

Creating a Positive Digital Footprint

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