By Sherry Parrish, Director of Resident Life, Charlestown Retirement Community:
The holiday season is usually a time of joy and happiness, filled with visiting our families and friends. However, for some of us, it is a time of sadness and loneliness. We are more aware of lost loved ones and feel the distance more severely of family and loved ones who live far away.
Some dread going to holiday parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations without a partner and end up staying home. It is also common for people to feel some emotional distance from the people they are with, making them feel sad and lonely even when they are with others.
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If this is your struggle, you can do something about it. You are not alone. While it is important to remember all the great memories of our past, we are still living and creating new relationships and adventures.
So my challenge to you is this: do something a little different this holiday season.
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Attend events and enjoy the talents and services of others.
Reach out to others: Showing that you care about other people is a sure cure to loneliness, even if you just pop in and say hello. This will cause those around you to feel appreciated and less lonely themselves. They may even return the same courtesy.
Go through your address book for your current and old friends: Give them a call, just to “catch up.” This is a simple, inexpensive and easy way to stay in touch and it works great as a way of strengthening relationships.
Get involved in an important cause: Volunteer in a cause that you believe in such as fighting heart disease or cancer, or volunteer to support a social issue that you identify with.
Be open to new suggestions. This may feel uncomfortable at first, especially if it involves new technology. Consider trying new activities that are possible given your level of health and fitness, and that you find interesting. You may discover something you wished you’d tried earlier.
Have a wonderful holiday season and a new year filled with wonder.
