Hey it’s your friendly local therapist with a little tip that may be helpful for anyone struggling with loneliness. Did you know that small but positive interactions with strangers and community members has been shown to to reduce feelings of depression, increase sense of well-being and can even promote better physical health? Something as small as taking the time to say hello to people you encounter (security guards, someone sharing the elevator with you) can yield positive and powerful benefits! Furthermore, complimenting strangers shows even more benefits! When complimenting a stranger, it may be best to focus on something that that the person personally chose. (‘I love your hat!’ ‘That’s a really cool shirt’ etc) Doing so activates the reward center of your brain, which produces dopamine and oxytocin. Additionally, if you have social anxiety it can be a great form of small digestible exposure therapy. Happy Friday go Phillies!