Ways to cope if you can’t see your family or friends on Thanksgiving:

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted all of our lives in different ways. For some of us, it’s meant losing loved ones or not being able to see them for a prolonged period of time. The pandemic has increased the rate of social isolation like no other and it’s particularly important in these challenging times to take care of our mental health when we are faced with separation from the people we love and support us.

Practice Daily Gratefulness:

There is a wide body of research indicating that people who consciously count their blessings tend to be happier and less depressed. Sometimes we spend a lot of our time thinking about what we don’t have. Gratitude helps us to appreciate what we have and help us to start enjoying it more. It is important that we are reminded of the blessings that we do have in life and hold on to the good things to remind us that we can still enjoy our time even though there are difficulties.

Seek Out Support:

Seek out any type of social support you can get. Even if it’s not from people who are close to you, it can still make a difference in your experience and help you in feeling less isolated and more included. There are many websites online offering virtual get togethers and meetups. Participate in events and group activities as they can be a big help in times like this.

Offer Help To Those In Need:

There are many people who are struggling not only with loneliness and isolation but also a number of other issues including physical illnesses, disabilities and financial issues. Research shows that those who help other people more often, report higher positive emotions and lower negative emotions and an elevated sense of well-being. Research also indicates that acts of altruism give us a sense of purpose and satisfaction. Ultimately, helping those in need, even if it’s just reaching out to provide social support for them, not only provides an opportunity to connect to others in a deep and meaningful way, but has a wide range of benefits for our physical and psychological well-being.

Don't Suppress Your Feelings:

If this is the first time you’re unable to spend time with loved ones on a holiday, it’s ok to feel sad and alone. Don’t suppress your emotions as suppressing emotions for a long time can have destructive effects. Remind yourself that grief and sadness is a part of life and you can accept your emotions as a part of your experience. Allow yourself to feel your feelings and honour them. And also remind yourself that the beautiful memories and the love you have for your family and friends will always remain in your heart.

Reach out to your family and friends virtually:

During the pandemic, people are experiencing heightened levels of loneliness and depression since there is much less opportunities to interact with others and engage in social activities. Although it’s upsetting that you might not able to physically be in your loved one’s presence, you can still create memories with them by hosting online gatherings, having conversations on the phone or sending them letters. These small acts of reaching out to your social support system, if repeated can have extensive positive effects on your mental health, reduce the feeling of loneliness and help you regulate your emotions more effectively.