Feeling Lonely as the Holidays Draw Near- Ways to Cope

Many people feel lonely as Thanksgiving gets closer. People can feel lonely even if they have loved ones in their lives. 

Others may feel lonely because they are in fact alone.

Holidays tend to get us thinking of family and most of us have lost loved ones. As Thanksgiving draws near, we start to miss our loved ones who are gone and it can be extremely painful. 

There is also pressure from society to connect and be with others during the holidays. This can make us feel even more vulnerable to feel lonely.

WAYS TO COPE:

Seek company. Attend a meet- up group. Go to Church and a small group such as Sunday School class to connect with others.

Implement Self-Care. When you feel lonely and down in spirits, it is important to demonstrate self-care or you will end up feeling worse. Get fresh air and exercise, do something that you enjoy, drink water, and eat healthy.

Acknowledge your feelings and explore them. There may be good reasons as to why you feel lonely as the holidays approach. Think over possible reasons and try to understand the factors that may contribute to how you may be feeling especially lonely at this time.    

Volunteer. Reaching out to others who are worse off than you can make you feel better in many ways.

Talk to Someone. Talk to a friend if possible and/ or seek counseling. It is helpful and healthy to talk to someone. It can help you to better understand and to get validation as to why this particular time is especially difficult for many people. 

Count your blessings! Think of what you are thankful for.

Pray! Your Heavenly Father is always with you and He loves you!

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                    Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day- and Where to Find Support

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day- and Where to Find Support

The loss of a pregnancy-- is a great loss --- no matter how far along a mother was in her pregnancy.

Some people do not understand this and therefore, they are not able to be supportive. 

There is support available.

I am starting a support group that will be 
bi- monthly and on-going for miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. 

 Free Miscarriage / Infant Loss / Grief Support Groups

Groups are on-going and open-group

Free support groups to begin in October  
to help anyone who has suffered a loss or has been affected by a loss due to miscarriage/ stillborn/ infant loss 

For mothers and fathers as well as other family members and friends

Support Groups are FREE   

What:

Support Groups for Miscarriage and Infant Loss

Where:

Michael Loftis Counseling      

       2670 Memorial Blvd
               Suite E
  Murfreesboro, TN 37129

When: Every 2nd and 4th Saturday morning starting October 24, 2015

Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am

Contact Diane Gammon by calling or texting (615) 556-8406 or email Diane at Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com. 
to register

You can attain hope and healing!

Diane received her Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University with a specialization in Trauma and Crisis Counseling.

Diane is under the clinical supervision of Michael Loftis L.C.S.W. as she pursues professional licensure as a LPC-MHSP. 

Diane is a thriving survivor of 5 miscarriages as well as losing an infant daughter.
She uses her personal experiences 
of hope and helping 
along with her education and counseling abilities 
to help others 
who have suffered such a loss. 

By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                                  Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

The Anger Stage of Grief- How it Can Be Helpful in Healing

Anger is a necessary stage of the healing process. 

Allow yourself to feel your anger even though it may seem endless and be very painful. 

The more you allow yourself to feel anger, the more that it will begin to dissipate-- and then it will facilitate healing.

There will be other emotions that you will feel as well. However, anger is the emotion we are most used to managing.

You may feel anger toward your friends, doctors, your family, yourself, and to God. 

Underneath anger is extreme pain. This is a natural response to grief as well as feeling abandoned. 

Anger can actually be a strength and an anchor, giving temporary structure to the nothingness of loss. 

At first grief feels like being lost at sea -such as having no connection to anything. 

Then you get angry and all of a sudden, you have a structure…….. your anger. 

This anger can be a bridge over the open sea….and be something to hold on to.

Your anger is an indication of the intensity of your love.

Allow yourself to feel anger. Just try not to take it out on others inappropriately. 

Implementing self-care, coping skills, and seeking counseling can help your healing process. 

  Reference
    Grief.com

By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                                  Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com