Traditional thinking says that people need to be with other humans to stay psychologically and emotionally balanced. There is certainly some truth to that.

However, in modern times people are finding different, nontraditional social strategies to overcome loneliness and depression.

Whether you are, by nature, solitary person or have struggled with feeling connected during the COVID-19 crisis, it’s possible to avert loneliness. And these are not radical ideas. In fact, they can be incorporated into any lifestyle to help you find meaning and greater connection.

Here are some strategies that you can utilize to keep loneliness and depression at bay.

Harnessing Your Creativity

One way to cope with loneliness and depression is by connecting with your creative side. Creativity is a way to focus your attention and to release the emotional energy inside you. And there are so many forms of expression, such as painting, drawing, writing, photography, graphic design, etc.

Two forms of expression that can really help avert loneliness are dance and music. Note that you don’t have to be a world-class performer to get the benefits from music or dance. All you need to do is try!

Using Social Media

So many articles have been written about the perils of social media. So let’s not dismiss the fact that there can be pitfalls. However, this technology can also help people cope with loneliness and depression when used appropriately.

For instance, let’s consider the example above about using music and dance to cope. You may take a video of yourself mastering a segment of a song while playing the guitar or a dance move that you have been working on for a while and have perfected. Then, you can share your accomplishment with your friends. When they then give you affirmations and words of encouragement and support, you feel less lonely.

Two “Old School” Social Strategies

There are two older social strategies that you might not have considered before. Yet, they can be of great value for overcoming loneliness and depression.

Writing Letters

Letter-writing, either by hand or using your computer (for people who have terrible penmanship) is one of those social strategies that today is considered “nontraditional,” yet not too long ago, it was the norm. In fact, writing letters was a very important means of communication from heads of state to everyday people. Try writing a letter yourself to someone close to you. Maybe they will write you back!

Phone Calls

Another technology that has gone by the wayside to an extent is the phone call. Calling someone on the phone is simple and takes no effort on your part. However, hearing someone’s voice on the other end of the line can be incredibly uplifting for both of you. Why not make it a goal to call a different person each day for a week. The results may surprise you.

Professional Help to Avert Loneliness and Depression

Despite your best efforts, you might still be struggling with loneliness and depression. And that’s okay. After all, depression is a complex issue with no single solution. And doing practical, hands-on things that you can do each day helps a lot.

However, so does getting professional help from a therapist who understands depression. Therapy is not just another way that you can be connected to someone else, it provides a way to really get to the bottom of your depression. But both aspects will help you feel less lonely.

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If you are struggling with loneliness and depression, consider trying out the ideas listed above. They may be simple concepts, but these nontraditional social strategies might just be the key you need to avert loneliness and stave-off depression.

However, if you are still having trouble, don’t hesitate to talk with a therapist about depression treatment. I invite you to contact me for more information.