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Coping With Loneliness
During the Holidays

our unrealistic expectations. While
2017 AARP Foundation
you may imagine others have a “pic-
study revealed that while the
ture perfect life,” instead pay more
holidays are a time of joy
attention to all you have in your
and excitement for many, with adults life and focus on the positives. Also
reporting feeling happy, loved, joyful
recognize you do not have to be part
and excited, three out of 10 of the
of a couple to find value and mean-
same respondents said they
ing in your life. Think about
have felt lonely during past
things you enjoy, what you
holiday seasons, and four out
feel grateful for, and consider
of 10 respondents said they
new challenges and experienc-
have worried about a friend or
es you would like to plan for
family member feeling lonely
the weeks and months ahead.
during the holidays.
Our sense of self-worth
Most of us think of holi-
must come from within, not
Lori Kanat
Edelson
days as a festive season when
from dependency on others
families make special arrange-
who help us feel valuable.
ments to gather together to spend
Third, reach out and communicate
time and reconnect. How is it possi-
with relatives or friends you have not
ble that so many also experience pro- spoken to or spent time with lately.
found loneliness and isolation during Finally, remember people find joy
this time of the year?
when helping others and giving back.
Some people are far away and
Consider donating your time, volun-
unable to travel to be with family or
teering for a cause you feel passion-
close friends, while others feel anx-
ate about, or helping those who are
iety and shame because they believe
less fortunate than you.
they have not met the expectations
If loneliness is a feeling you expe-
others have for them or they have for rience most of the time and, after
themselves. Still others may mourn
making attempts to reduce your iso-
the relationships with family they
lation and sadness you still feel alone
wish they had, and some are acutely
and blue, it may be worthwhile to
aware that they are not in a signifi-
consider professional help.
cant relationship and feel detached
Talking with a therapist to iden-
and different from the mainstream.
tify the cause of your loneliness and
These are only some of the myriad to establish ways to reduce these
reasons why people may feel isolated, feelings and replace them with posi-
lonely and distant during the holi-
tive, grateful, satisfied feelings, is an
days. Social media has also played a
important gift you can give to your-
significant role in the experience of
self this holiday season. ■
feeling left out, less happy and less
successful than friends and acquain-
Lori Kanat Edelson, LMSW, ACSW, BCD,
tances whom they see on Facebook,
LMFT, of the Birmingham Maple Clinic
Instagram and other sites that can
specializes in anxiety and panic, chronic ill-
lead to feelings of inadequacy and
ness, couples counseling, depression, grief
failure.
and loss, family issues, gender orientation
What can we do to reduce these
issues, LGBTQA, marriage/relationship issues
feelings of loneliness? The first, and
and mood disorders.
most important answer, is to reduce

A

What Is
HAPPY
Your Plan?.....
CHANUKAH!
Call Us.

The Probate Law
Firm of Thav, Ryke
and Associates

www.michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034

1-800-728-3363

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December 6 • 2018

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