Honors College Art & Science of Emotions Fall 2017 (12:00 p.m.) Sadness Journal | Page 17

support students through various difficulties. Stress relieving programs are commonly host-
ed by these RAs, especially during the midterm and final exam periods of the semesters. But
how exactly do these programs help students to feel happier? The stress factor is not re-
moved simply by attending these programs. Instead, when students come to these programs
they are reminded of an imperative fact that is one of the most effective realizations able to
curb the emotion of sadness. The fact that they are not alone. When thinking of how one
feels when they say they feel “sad”, the perception of being alone is one of the first things to
be mentioned. Isolation, the idea that no one understands or cares, can be considered the
very base upon which the emotion builds itself. If that base is removed, suddenly the emo-
tion doesn’t have much of a leg left to stand on. When students attend these programs they
have the opportunity to connect with others who are going through the same challenges. Be-
yond that, with socialization comes another tool in the fight against sadness, laughter.
Laughter has been proven to relieve stress by lowering stress hormones, improve mood,
strengthen mental resilience, and promote group bonding (Lawerence Robinson). Besides
these programs, Oakland also offers several free sessions of counseling at Graham Health
Center, located right on campus. Again, this combats sadness in the fact that students are
reminded that someone does care and is trying to help them.
In college, sadness often gives students opportunities to bond with others. By sharing
and comparing woes, students may feel more connected, and therefore, a little less sad. This
role that sadness plays is also found off-campus, in everyday life outside of the realm of ed-
ucation. Just look at any great tragedy covered by the media. From gun massacres to natural
disasters, people’s lives have been turned upside down. And each time, thousands of volun-
teers, many of them being complete and utter strangers, help in whatever way they can.
These donations give hope to the victims, telling them that they are not alone and will not be
abandoned in their need. Consider sadness a beacon of sorts, signaling the need for human
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