Social support is one of the most essential ways to deal with stress.  Our friends and family members can give us a support by listening or a shoulder to sob. However, they will still offer practical assistance, if it will be a trip to a work interview, a cash loan that helps cover expenses or spouse are the reason of our stress. Most depressed individuals dread speaking out about their stressed thoughts because they believe this indicates that they can't control their stress on their own. However, this interpretation is wrong. Reciprocity or the belief that we would assist all that have supported us in the past is one of the pillars of social links. Asking for support is not a symbol of dependency, but the first step in a long path "to give and take" with your loved ones.

Of course not all individuals have a network that they can reach out to. Whereas certain individuals experiencing the biggest burden might also be trapped in social networks where friends and relatives are often frustrated by the difficulties of life. In such situations, reaching outside one's family and friends, a local social worker or a community network may provide the assistance that one wants. Achieving expert guidance is not a symbol of failure, but rather a display of courage and strength of character. It's not easy to recognize vulnerability, but doing so is the first move in developing a constructive, trusting partnership with a therapist who can guide you navigate life difficulties.

On the other hand, lack of social help will lead to persistent chronic stress, which can adversely influence your immune system and threaten your life by putting you at risk. Social reinforcement, after all will enhance the working of the immune system and help you defend yourself from disease in COVID-19. It will also boost your vitality, alleviate depression and promote your self-esteem.

Other easiest ways to cope with depression is to see or encounter individuals who are going through the same problem or encountered the same dilemma. These groups, which are known as support groups, are typically started by two or three individuals who worked together on difficulties of people. Later as the community grows, the new participants are directed by the initial members. They may call on counsellors, specialists or other practitioners to provide assistance if necessary. However, the biggest benefit of this sort of community is to realize that people appreciate the issues you're experiencing, and they've all been there personally. Help groups are as similar to the closest phone line. There are also hotlines that you should contact if you feel worried. They genuinely take care of and can help you cope with a problem and can continue to offer assistance as much as you need it.

If you find like support groups or your existing relationships may not have adequate help, you should take action to build new ones by making your circle of friends bigger. Friendships have a profound effect on your emotional wellbeing and happiness. Good friends alleviate discomfort, offer warmth and pleasure, and reduce depression and discomfort. Developing near friendships will also have a strong influence on your physical wellbeing. Lack of social link can pose as much danger as smoking, consuming too much, or a sedentary lifestyle can. Friends are linked to longevity, too. For making new friends consider the suggestions below:

• Join communities online and start volunteering
• Sign up on different social media meetup apps
• Join different social media groups in which you are interested
• Attend different online book clubs’ meetings 
• Take exercise or fitness classes
• Sign up for a yoga class
• Participate in different events using zoom
• Attend formal and informal gatherings or meetings on skype
• Enroll in a course of your interest 

The internet also has a range of tension and stress relief blogs and websites that you may consult. They contain a great deal of information from roots of stress to ways to deal with it, but do so with care. If you encounter pressure, you can be extremely susceptible to abuse by those who offer fast solutions for all your problems. If it looks too nice to be real, it may be.

Underlying all these frustrating solutions,

Irrespective of what the stressors are and how difficult things appear to be, talking to somebody is sure to improve, just give it a try.

References:   Harrington, R., 2012. Stress, Health & Well-Being. Cengage Learning, p.465.   |   Higgins, M., 2009. Taking Care of Your Stress: Learning to Do What Works. Xlibris Corporation, pp.32-33.   |   Murphy, R., 2012. Change Your Stress. Bloomington: Balboa Press, p.22.   |   2010. An Over View of Anxiety, And The Twenty-Seven Best Ways to Handle Anxiety. Roberta Shapiro.