www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 73 connection to loved ones created such a strange nuance. Due to the lack of normalcy, depression and physical weakness were two of the biggest negative impacts we needed to combat.” Of course, it’s not just seniors who need social engagements to thrive. April Ward, a licensed professional counselor at Brighter Day Therapy, works with numerous teenagers and young adults who are anxious and depressed from too little personal contact. In many cases, the young adults aren’t even aware of what’s causing their symptoms. “I try to find out more about how they spend their time — who they hang out with, what they do daily,” Ward said. “If they only leave their house one time a week to go grocery shopping, for example, that’s not healthy. Everyone needs social interactions — it signals the happy chemicals in our brains.” Because of the conveniences afforded by our digital lives — including remote work, items people once shopped for but now get delivered to their doorstep and more — teens and adults are losing their natural ability to engage even in casual ways, Ward said. For example, making pleasant conversation at work is increasingly difficult for those who regularly retreat behind computer screens. “Yes, technology is great, but people still need real, social, in-person interaction. It could just be making a conversation with someone for five minutes. But if you don’t make an effort, you will lose that social skill,” she added.
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