How to avoid feeling isolated during the holidays and the pandemic
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Feelings of isolation can set in during the holidays, especially now with the pandemic.
If you can’t spend the holidays with your family, consider celebrating virtually. Experts say when you’re around people you love, your brain releases a chemical that makes you happy.
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Kenza Haddock, clinical director at Oceanic Counseling, said you can get that same effect through Zoom or FaceTime calls with friends and loved ones. She also said to call someone every day to help avoid feeling isolated.
"Make every effort to talk to at least one person a day," said Haddock. "If you can go out and volunteer, go out and volunteer because community can help feeling like you’re a part of something. It can make a big difference."
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If you need to talk to someone, counselors are available, or you can contact organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Neighbor to Neighbor, which have volunteers that check on homebound adults.
