This resonates with me quite a bit. Some food for thought, as I have become more aware of this in my own life over the past year. I've also touched on this in p

This resonates with me quite a bit. Some food for thought, as I have become more aware of this in my own life over the past year. I've also touched on this in past comments, but it might be worth re-mentioning. I spent a week in the hospital last year (then 2 weeks in out-patient therapy), after having a nervous breakdown - related to deep depression, some suicidal thoughts, and high anxiety. Also, for a better picture of the week I was in the hospital. I wasn't bedridden, attached to an IV or anything. I was able to wander around. Hang out with other patients. Play board games. Engage in social activities. Etc. During that week, I didn't have my phone, and I rarely interacted with technology, besides watching some TV in the evening in a large room with other people. Even that was socially engaging, because we would all laugh together, and some people would comment on things in the movie or TV. I came to a better understanding of what was really triggering my depression. My lifestyle, as a dedicated programmer, was killing me slowly. I would wake up, workout for a bit, and then go to work behind a desk. Where I sit (and stand occasionally) for 8 or so hours per day. Doing almost nothing physically engaging, and socializing at arms length via Slack, email, or Github comments. Sure, I get lunch with people sometimes. Sure, I go for walks throughout the day. But the work I do is not physically or socially engaging. It's very antisocial, actually. What has really saved my mind lately has been learning to snowboard. It's physically engaging. Social too, if you go with people - though you'll likely chat with people on chair lifts or in the lodges. It's painful to learn (I broke my tailbone day 1). But it is absolutely worth it. When I'm up on the mountain, I literally CANNOT think about work. If I do, I crash immediately. Even better, as I go through the work week, I look forward to my weekends where I can get up on the mountain, and even occasionally I take a "powder day" if I need to. As a result, I'm happier. I'm a more productive employee at my job. I get along with my coworkers better, and I am less depressed in general. My 2 cents. Hope it helps. On another note. More people deal with this than you may realize. Just look around you. If you're feeling down, or depressed, you don't have to keep it to yourself. When I got back to work after my "forced vacation" in the hospital, a coworker asked me if I was okay and what happened. I mentioned that I had been very depressed, and immediately got a hug. I was like "Oh shit... I didn't realize I worked with actual humans until now" Also... vitamin D works wonders