American sociologist and psychologist Dr Corey Keyes’ book ‘Languishing’ sheds vital light on a mental health epidemic that many readers and listeners will relate to, but will perhaps not have heard of. Until now.
Although the impact of the pandemic has worsened our overall mental wellbeing, languishing has been afflicting people for much longer. They may just not realise it or be able to put a name to it.
Keyes explains exactly what languishing is, and how it can be differentiated from depression. Throughout the course of the book, he sets out how languishing affects people at different times of their lives, pinpointing those age groups most likely to be suffering. He also gives real life examples from his clinical experiences which help the listener to apply it to their own lives.
So what is languishing? Keyes describes his term as a state of mental weariness that erodes our self-esteem, motivation and sense of meaning. Symptoms include burnout, fogginess of mind such as an inability to concentrate, and a sense of drift and stagnation. If you feel like your life isn’t going anywhere, and you are fed up for most of the time, but you’re also too tired and jaded to make positive changes, then you may well be experiencing a period of languishing.
The success of Keyes’ book is that he explains how to recognise if you are languishing and then outlines what steps to take in order to turn your life around. In the parlance of psychology, it helps you along the journey of turning languishing into flourishing.
A lot of the advice is pragmatic and has stood the test of time. Focussing on giving and providing acts of kindness rather than getting has been shown to be beneficial for many years. The author recommends seeking out opportunities to volunteer and pay back to society. But he also explains how flourishing can only be sustained by having and maintaining a sense of purpose in life. That may be easier said than done, especially if you’re stuck in the rut of languishing.
Keyes has a gift for communication and for storytelling. There are lots of moments in the book that will resonate with readers or listeners. One story of how he tasked his class of students to spend an entire afternoon in a state of happiness, and their inability to do so, was simple and instructive. Explaining that happiness is an emotional state rather than an objective for life, Keyes persuasively outlines the steps to building purpose. This involves an examination of our relationships and leisure time, including what we should do more of, as well as common mistakes we should avoid.
Whether or not self-help books work often depend upon the commitment the reader or listener is willing to put into the exercises. One has to apply the lessons to affect change, just as you don’t become a good singer by passively watching Mariah Carey videos and never warming up your vocal cords. Keyes provides opportunities to put his principles into practice. You’ll find action plans in ‘Languishing’ that will help you to navigate to a path to purpose if you’re willing to make the effort. For many, a self-diagnosis of languishing or recognition of how a loved one or friend is in a state of languishing may prove the major insight of this volume.
In outlining languishing, how the mental state manifests, the symptoms to look out for and the route to flourishing, Keyes provides timely and highly accessible assistance to anyone in a slump who is struggling to get out of it. ‘Languishing ‘ is expertly read by Landon Woodson, who puts across Keyes’ analysis and anecdotes with engaging precision. Whether you simply enjoy the insights into the human condition or find it the most important book you’ll read this year, ‘Languishing’ is likely to resonate with a wide readership. There’s plenty enough in these pages for most readers to be able to apply some ideas to their own lives and situations, and who knows, maybe even make positive changes.
Publisher: Penguin Random House UK audio Narrator: Landon Woodson Publication date: 22nd February 2024 Buy ‘Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down’
