Are you feeling overwhelmed or lonely this holiday season?

In this day and age, families are more spread out, more distant, and busier than ever. For many, not having family to celebrate with is difficult. Others may be single at this time, and not want to participate in holiday activities because they don’t have a partner to go with them. Meanwhile, many people do have family or friends around them, but they still feel very alone. These difficult feelings can be due to strained relationships from divorce, past issues or current personal struggles that can interfere with their enjoyment such as depression or anxiety.

1. What can you do when you are feeling overwhelmed or lonely this holiday season, or throughout the year?
   
   a. Stay connected. Invite friends to your home. It can be your single women friends, a few friends from work, or more of your acquaintances who you want to get to know better. Or, call an old friend you haven’t spoken to for a while. Talk more with your coworkers instead of rushing them out of your office. If you want to feel more connected to people this holiday season, offer to connect with them!
   
   b. Take care of you. Take care of yourself this holiday season by treating yourself to something special, Treat yourself to a nice gift, perhaps a stress relieving massage, guitar lessons, or a vacation to somewhere you have never been before. You can also treat yourself by eating right and exercising and you will be more likely to feel good about yourself and where you are in your life.
   
   c. Know you are not alone. During the holidays, many people share these same feelings of loneliness, isolation, sadness, confusion. It is important to understand that you are not the only one having these feelings so spend time talking to others who you think share some of the same feelings. Understand that movies and television portray the holidays and family lifestyles that are not as realistic as they may seem. In talking with others, you might be surprised by how many people feel the same way you do.
   
   d. Appreciate what you do have. Change your focus to the wonderful things you do have in your life. It’s OK to take a friend to a holiday party or go alone, be grateful that you were invited. May be your aunt Jane’s sarcastic remarks are the only way she knows how to share her feelings, and that she really does love you.

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