Coping with Loneliness on Thanksgiving Day

Loneliness can occur in the autumn season. Yet, it can be felt more during the holidays. Sometimes, during Thanksgiving dinner, one can feel loneliness, especially if you are going through the grieving process. Other times feeling exhausted from preparations and planning a healthy dinner by yourself can make you feel lonely. However, the feeling of loneliness can also happen when you are having a conversation with someone. 

To prevent loneliness before, during, and after Thanksgiving dinner can be helpful for managing one's emotions. Plan to do less stressful activities and accept invitations for a Friendsgiving. Celebrating Thanksgiving with friends can help you reduce your stress and feel less lonely during the grieving period. It is necessary to understand your emotions and connect with friends who are also feeling lonely in this season. Also, feeling lonely can sometimes make you not be able to enjoy the holidays because of missing a loved one. 

Coping with loneliness is complicated and sometimes difficult to control your emotions. Often one must identify, recognize, and understand what you feel to find a balance between those feelings of loneliness, rejection, or sadness. No matter what, it is necessary to let go of those feelings one by one. Grieving affects the entire body and often that tension is trapped in certain areas of the body. You might have digestive issues or painful neck or shoulder strain. 

Although not everyone that is in the grieving process might feel physical symptoms; It is still possible to feel loneliness because of one’s emptiness and emotional pain. Additionally, understanding your grieving process can help you reduce the feeling of loneliness. You can do somatic exercises, mindfulness, and with a professional therapist to help you heal emotionally. Somatic exercises can assist in pain relief, mind, and body connection, and for reducing stress. Nonetheless, always consult with your doctor before practicing somatic exercises or other mind and body exercises.

For example, you can do pelvic tilts, leg tilts, and gentle spinal twists. Additionally, practicing Somatic Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, and gentle stretches as you focus on your movements. Somatic Pilates makes you focus on your body movements. It helps you practice body awareness. You can do seated spinal twists, Somatic stretching, and pelvic curl.

Concentrate on your breathing. Practice free form movements while listening to your body. Alternatively, you can put your hand on your belly as you inhale and exhale. Understand why you feel loneliness as you continue your therapy and your somatic exercises. Emotional distance, disconnections, and feeling uncomfortable during Thanksgiving and other holidays can make you feel more family tension. 

Accept your feelings. Remind yourself that you have no family expectations and respect everyone. Take a walk and do dance movements to help you relax. Concentrate on your physical sensations and body movements. Do not force yourself to let go of all your emotions and the feeling of loneliness.

Loneliness can also happen when one feels guilt, fear, sadness, embarrassing moments, and other emotions. Managing your emotions includes creativity, hobbies, and self-care. If you feel nostalgic, share your memories in a scrapbook or in a conversation with someone. Do check in if you know someone who feels lonely on Thanksgiving Day and throughout the holidays. Here are websites about seasonal loneliness. 

 

 

Preventing Loneliness During the Holiday Season:

Preventing loneliness during the holiday season

4 Ways to Survive Thanksgiving Alone:

4 Ways to Survive Thanksgiving Alone - Autumn & Thanksgiving | Crosswalk.com

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