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Foundations of Joy: Part I

by | Nov 4, 2024 | Dr. Jared Pistoia, Mental Health, Naturopathic Medicine

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How Socializing and Art Therapy Combat Depression

Although we’re more connected now through social media than ever before, it seems that isolation has become a silent epidemic, particularly if you’re struggling with depression. It can be easy to wall yourself off from the world when you feel down, fatigued, and demotivated. But it’s critical for your mental health to maintain regular connection with others, even if it feels impossible to do that. Meaningful connection, whether with family, friends, or supportive communities, is one of the pillars that supports mental health.

Research on socialization highlights its role in reducing depressive symptoms and boosting overall mental health. Engaging in regular social interactions, whether through close relationships or community involvement, helps to release oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” which has been linked to lower stress levels and increased feelings of trust, joy, and empathy. Studies have shown that people with strong social support systems tend to have lower rates of depression and anxiety. Even small acts of social connection, like smiling at someone or engaging in brief conversations, can stimulate brain pathways associated with joy.

Group art therapy is one way of socializing with others in a low-pressure setting that facilitates fun and self-expression. Clay therapy, a form of art therapy, is a hands-on, grounding approach to emotional expression that’s gained attention in recent years for its impact on depression and trauma. Working with clay can help you connect with your body and counter feelings of disembodiment that sometimes accompany depression. Research has shown that the repetitive motions involved in shaping clay stimulate the release of serotonin and dopamine, brain chemicals that are often out of balance when you’re experiencing depression.

Combining art therapy with socialization is a great way to obtain the benefits of connection while encouraging you to be creative and have fun. You can laugh at your art “mistakes” or admire the beauty of someone else’s creation. When it’s difficult for you to express your emotions, art therapy offers a voice for emotions you might have otherwise kept locked up inside. Creative activities like painting, clay making, and journaling act as a sort of discharge for your emotions, often leading to new insights and relief from hard emotions like anger and grief, which are all too common in depression.

If you’re feeling the weight of loneliness and depression, taking small, intentional steps toward connection can make a bigger difference than you think. Joining supportive spaces like our upcoming Foundations of Joy workshop can be a gentle way to open up to both companionship and creativity, nurturing your mental health in new and profound ways, while connecting with others who are experiencing similar emotions.

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