Combating Holiday Loneliness

​Holiday’s During a Pandemic
​Well...it's different this year, to say the least. Holidays, with all their good points, can be plagued with heightened emotional strain. But when you can’t get together and old traditions are upset with the concerns and constraints of a pandemic, then a new set of emotional issues can arise.
Being alone or isolated as a family from long held festivities and family closeness can bring sadness and depression if dwelt upon. With the concerns about potentially deadly exposure to illness pitted against the need for connection with loved ones, this season is ripe for family division and strife. Now more than ever, there is need for compassion and understanding of each other’s viewpoints. Even if those you love choose health over connection, now is the time to love family members enough to let them do what they feel is right for themselves and try hard not to take it personally.
With Thanksgiving only a few days away, it might be good to begin to plan now how you can make the day a truly thankful one even if you or your immediate family are the only one(s) there to enjoy it.
So how can you make lemonade from the lemons of pandemic and quarantine? Even if it’s just for yourself, what special food can you make? What special activity will bring you joy? How long can you make your list of things for which to be thankful? Who’s day can you make with a friendly call or letter?
If something more is needed to help cope better with emotional lows, many find that natural support from joy enhancing essential oils, flower essences for distress or mood elevating herbal combinations are preferred to medication and alcohol.
The experts say that planning for an event can bring just as much joy, or more than participating in the event. So what can you plan now to make some great lemonade this holiday season, no matter what?
This information is for educational use and not intended to diagnose or prescribe or replace the advice of a health professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.


Jeanette Barcus, CNHC
www.herbsnwhey.com