When you’re feeling depressed or anxious, it’s easy to spend a lot of time alone. You might have stopped working, live alone, or lost interest in things you used to enjoy. Over time, being alone can make you feel even worse.

When we’re alone too much, we get stuck in our thoughts. These thoughts can be negative and upsetting. Without other people around, there’s no one to remind us that those thoughts might not be true. It can start to feel like the world is dangerous, and staying away from it is safer.

But humans aren’t meant to be alone all the time. We are social by nature. Even small moments with others can help lift your mood and shift your thoughts. Just being near others can help you feel more connected and less stuck in your mind.

It’s okay if being social feels hard at first. Like a muscle, it gets stronger with practice. Being social is a skill, not a personality trait. If it feels hard, that’s okay. You can start small. Go outside, spend time in a shared space, or reach out to someone you trust. Just being around people, even quietly, can make a difference.