Thanksgiving is a time of year that many people spend in the company of family and friends. If you suffer with social anxiety disorder (SAD), you might find yourself alone this time of year. Perhaps you turned down invitations to gatherings because of your anxiety, or maybe your relatives live out of town. Whatever the reason for being alone, there are ways that you can feel less lonely.

In general, there are three ways to cope. First, you can accept that you are alone and make the most of your time. Second, you can find people to spend time with so that you don’t feel so lonely. Third, you can spend the holiday making plans so that you will not be alone this time next year. Below are ten tips to help you cope with being alone at Thanksgiving.

1. Travel

   Although Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the busiest travel times of the year, traveling can be one way to take your mind off of the fact that you are alone for the holiday. If you want to travel but still retain the spirit of Thanksgiving, try visiting one of the cities hosting a Thanksgiving Day parade. The Macy’s Day Thanksgiving parade is held annually every Thanksgiving in New York City. Alternatively, if you want to escape Thanksgiving altogether, choose a country that doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving or where it takes place on a different date, such as Canada. If you don’t want to travel alone, consider joining a tour for single travellers.

2. Write Letters

   If you are alone this Thanksgiving, consider taking the day to write letters or emails to family and friends that you have lost touch with. Doing so helps you to connect with people that you might not normally contact, and also lays the groundwork for possibly reconnecting and having a less lonely Thanksgiving next year. Not sure who to write to? You could even try writing a letter to yourself. Plan on opening it next year to see what you were thinking and feeling, and observe what changes you have made and how things have improved.

3. Become a Sports Fan

   If you have never been a sports fan, Thanksgiving can be a great day to become one. Spend the day watching football games, learning the rules of the sport, and choosing a favorite team. Having a little knowledge about sports can be helpful when making small talk. Next year you might find yourself hosting a Thanksgiving football gathering.

4. Volunteer

   Volunteering to help those less fortunate during the holidays will make you feel good and also help minimize your loneliness. If you don’t want to go the traditional route of helping out in a soup kitchen or with a food drive, there are still lots of opportunities to donate your time. Perhaps your local animal shelter needs help taking dogs out for walks or a senior’s residence would like visitors for their guests who are also alone at Thanksgiving. Volunteering is a great way to be thankful for what you have and realize that your situation could be worse.

5. Be Productive

   If you are feeling lonely at Thanksgiving and have no opportunities to spend time with others, why not make it a productive day and get your house organized? Clean out closets, get paperwork in order, make to-do lists, and generally get control of the little details in your life. At least you will end the day with a feeling of accomplishment, and the ability to focus on your relationships with others because your life is manageable.

6. Get in Touch With Others Who Are Alone

   Thanksgiving does not have to be spent with family. If you know of coworkers or acquaintances who are spending the holiday alone, why not ask if they would like to spend it together? Start your own holiday tradition and plan a Thanksgiving gathering to create new friendships. Play games like charades to stimulate conversation and get to know each other better.

7. Get Outdoors

   Depending on your climate, Thanksgiving day can be a great time to head out for a nature walk or hike. Just having a plan to spend some time outdoors can brighten your mood and make you feel less lonely. You might even cross paths with other nature lovers who are alone on Thanksgiving. If you don’t like the idea of walking alone and you are an animal lover, perhaps make plans to adopt a dog to accompany you next year.

8. People Watch

   If you can’t be in the company of others, you can at least get out and be amongst people. Although most businesses will be closed on Thanksgiving day, you are likely to find restaurants and coffee shops that are open. Choose a spot where you can sit and watch people come and go. If you feel self-conscious sitting alone, bring along a newspaper to read or a laptop to check emails or surf the Internet.

9. Plan for Next Year

   Perhaps you turned down invitations to dinner this year because of your anxiety. Make a promise to yourself that next year will be different. A year is plenty of time to make an appointment with your doctor, receive a diagnosis and treatment, and be well on the road to recovery by next year.

10. Get Through the Day

    If all else fails and you still find yourself feeling lonely at Thanksgiving, the best advice is to simply make it through the day. Remember that it is only one day out of the year, and that it will be over before you know it. Make a vow to yourself to get control of your anxiety so that it doesn’t interfere with making plans for next Thanksgiving.

If severe social anxiety is preventing you from connecting with others at Thanksgiving or other times of the year, it is best to make an appointment with your doctor. She will be able to offer a professional diagnosis and recommend treatment if necessary. SAD is a highly treatable disorder with good success rates for both therapy and medication.