Low Mood
A sustained, diffuse state of low energy and flat affect with an open causal story, distinct from the regulation strategy of Suppression.
How it shows up
Low mood can last hours, days, or longer, often without a clear trigger: gray weeks, tired seasons, stretches when everything feels like effort. People may notice flatness, low energy, and less interest in usual pleasures. Causes can include sleep, stress, health, circumstances, or nothing obvious. It is common and not in itself a diagnosis; what sets it apart is that it lingers and spreads without needing one clear reason.
How it differs from Sadness
Sadness usually has an object, a loss or an unmet want; low mood is a flatter, lower-energy state that may not be about anything in particular.
Notice
Notice whether low mood shifts with sleep, light, company, or time of day.
Where it is felt
Felt most in the chest, shoulders and head.
Based on Nummenmaa et al. (2014), bodily maps of emotions, and related research. The map shows where people report bodily sensation, on average; individual experience varies.