GRAPPLING WITH FESTIVE LONELINESS

Amid the brightness of Diwali lights, many struggle with loneliness caused by myriad reasons; read on to learn how to identify and cope with it for a mentally healthy festive season

- Rapti.Bhaumick

Many look forward to the Diwali weekend filled with lights, laughter, family, and gatherings. However, for many individuals, festivities often turn into dark phases filled with loneliness that may eventually have a negative and long-term impact on mental and physical health. Time to deal with the impact of loneliness tactfully.

'Lack' and comparison

Loneliness is a personal emotion, and the root cause may differ from individual to individual. But during festivities, this dismal feeling may feel exceptionally cloying due to lack of company, especially for working individuals who are unable to join their family, senior citizens who miss their children during this phase, or people who don't have the right company.

The feeling is further amplified in this age of social media, which is inundated with photos of people having fun during festive times. "When alone and lonely, an individual tends to overuse social media, which worsens the situation," explains Dr Nimrat Singh, rehabilitation psychologist and consultant educator, who says social media often leads to developing unrealistic expectations and acts of comparison. And comparison leads to emotional disturbance, discomfort and a feeling of missing out, which makes a person withdraw.

Identify, acknowledge, reflect, and act