I encounter clinical depression on a nearly daily basis- people going about their lives, but feeling as though something isn’t right, is missing, or just feeling down. I often hear that people generally feel lonely. In an era where the social network is just an app click away, it’s hard to imagine feeling isolated- studies have shown though that there is a direct correlation between social media use and depression. The more “connected” we become, the more isolated we feel. How do we overcome this increasingly pervasive sense of aloneness in a world that’s increasingly connected? Consider the data below:

The majority spend at least 2-3 hours per day on social media- given that most people sleep eight hours per day, and work another nine hours per day, there is only a scant seven hours remaining that’s unallocated- assuming no time spent commuting, preparing food, etc. Given that a typical person spends a full THIRD of their free time interacting with “friends” virtually, is it any wonder we feel so isolated? Compounding this, people generally craft their social media presence showing only the very best image possible- as humans we like to compare ourselves to others, and compared to an impossible ideal, we always fall short. So how does one feel more connected in this increasingly “connected” world? Disconnect. Invest in real relationships, and if you don’t have them, find them. If you have nowhere to start, Meetup is a fantastic resource that connects like-minded individuals for activities- it could be a mountain hike or a discussion about politics. Whatever you crave, you can likely find a community to enter. Foster real relationships, real friendships. Social media is wonderful for keeping in touch with genuine friends or family who have moved away, but make no mistake- “friending” is no substitute for the real thing.