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Beating Depression

Karen Salmansohn, author of "The Bounce Back Book"
August 5, 2007.

Being social is never a bad thing. It can bolster your career as well and makes for a pleasant lifestyle. However, when you're feeling depressed, or have fallen on hard times, being around people is far from first nature.

So how does one beat the blues when the blues seem unbeatable?

According to Dr. Dina Carbonell, a research associate at Simmons College who studied the secrets of people who successfully bounced back from hard times, "Resilient people identify those who are available, trustworthy and helpful. Then they go towards this light."

Psychology Professor Ed Diener found that close relationships actually influence overall joy far more than income. And good strong friendships can even ward off germs by lowering stress and improving your immune system.

A Binghamton University report states that people with five or more friends with whom they can discuss important problems are 60 percent more likely to be happy.

According to Dr. John Haidt, the urge for humans to seek the company of others is similar to the instinct of bees who migrate towards a honey hive. Haidt believes humans, like bees, thrive when they are members of a larger hive.

So, if you're feeling stressed in your career, it's essential to spend time with supportive people.