š¤ You Donāt Have to Do This Alone: How Connection Eases Anxiety, Depression, and Loneliness
- Karen Cappello
- May 21
- 2 min read
We all feel the urge to pull back sometimesāespecially when weāre anxious, down, or just plain overwhelmed. It can feel safer to isolate, to turn inward, and hope the storm passes. But hereās the truth: weāre wired for connection.
And connection doesnāt mean being surrounded by a crowd or oversharing your deepest secrets. It means feeling seen, heard, and supportedāeven in small, gentle ways.
šæ Why Connection Matters
When weāre struggling with anxiety or depression, our nervous system is on high alert or totally shut down. Isolation feeds that. But connection? Even the simplest kindālike a walk with a friend, a shared smile, or a quick check-ināhelps regulate the nervous system.
It tells your brain: āIām safe. Iām not alone. I belong. āThat feeling alone can ease symptoms of sadness, racing thoughts, and emotional numbness.
⨠The Science-y Bit (But Simple)
When we connect with others in meaningful ways:
Our brain releases oxytocinĀ (the "bonding" hormone)
Cortisol (stress hormone) goes down
We get a little boost of dopamineĀ (feel-good chemical)
Itās like natureās built-in medicineāfree, available, and healing.
š¼ Tiny Ways to Start Connecting Again
If itās been a while, thatās okay. Here are a few low-pressure ways to reach out:
Text someone: āHey, I was just thinking about you.ā
Join a gentle group (a book club, a craft circle, a walking group)
Say yes to coffee, even if itās just for 30 minutes
Be honest with someone safe: āIāve been feeling a bit isolated lately.ā
Youāre not bothering anyoneāpeople crave connection just like you do.
š You Deserve Support, Too
Connection can also look like therapyāa place where you can safely be yourself, with no pressure or judgment. If youāve been feeling stuck, anxious, or alone, Iām here. We can walk through this togetherāat your pace.
Youāre not alone. You never were.
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