The holidays are a beautiful time of the year circling around friends and family, gift-giving and gathering together. For those with tight-knit families, circles of friends and/or a partner, this can be an especially intimate time to express how important this community/closeness is.
But for those who do not have this aspect of closeness in their life, or who have recently lost a loved one or gone through a breakup, the holidays can be an increasingly lonely few months.
What makes the holidays so lonely?
There are various reasons why someone may struggle with loneliness during the holidays. These include:
- Not having a strong bond with siblings, parents or extended family members, meaning much of the holiday season is spent alone, or in situations of conflict or discomfort
- Losing a loved one and going through the holidays without them (this can be difficult regardless of whether or not the loss was recent or happened a long time ago – the holidays can bring up a fresh feeling of grief)
- Going through a break-up near the holidays, and not having your significant other with you to attend parties, gatherings or events
- Living far away from family, or not being able to travel back home for the holidays
While it might feel like you need to simply “get over it” and tough it out through the holiday season, this isn’t actually an effective method of coping with the challenges of loneliness. In fact, ignoring these feelings can worsen the effects of loneliness and lead to other mental health concerns like depression, stress and anxiety.
How to fight loneliness in the holiday season
Loneliness can cause one to isolate themselves, which can have negative effects like depression symptoms, increased sadness and lack of motivation. But there are ways in which you can combat these emotions and seek to overcome loneliness regardless of what season you find yourself in.
Limit time spent online
While social media totes the idea that you’re “staying connected” with others, it actually has been proven to increase loneliness and comparison, which can worsen symptoms of depression. If you feel yourself comparing your holiday experience with the pictures you’re seeing posted online, it might be time to take a break.
Refrain from getting on social media when you’re feeling lonely and instead channel your energy towards the pursuit of other healthy activities, like journaling, crafting, baking or some other hobby that fills you up.
Say yes
Loneliness can be a bit of a vicious cycle, where you may know you need to be around people, but are so stuck in a mental state of loneliness that you can’t bring yourself to be around those who might actually help. If you are invited to go out with friends, coworkers or even people you don’t normally spend time with, try saying yes – you never know, you might really enjoy your time and feel an increase in mental wellness as a result.
Consider volunteering
Volunteering is an overlooked, but absolutely genuine way of tapping into the generosity of the holidays. There are numerous places you can volunteer, including an animal shelter, a local park or greenhouse, a farm or zoo, a nursing home or a homeless shelter.
Even though you are giving much of your time to those you are serving, you most likely will reap tons of benefits from the time you spend volunteering. And who knows, you might find a new community of people in those who volunteer alongside you. Volunteering will help you step out of self-centered thoughts and give you the relief of focusing instead on the needs of others.
Invest in a hobby
Maybe there is a new skill you have been wanting to try or an old hobby you want to revisit. If you find yourself with extra time during the holidays, consider using the time to hone your skills.
Some hobbies you might consider include:
- Baking or cooking
- DIY – Jewelry, floral arrangements, home improvements, gardening, etc
- Dog training – Have a pup that craves attention? Work on some cool new tricks to enhance their quality of life
- Reading – Your local library has literal shelves full of new worlds to discover
- Organizing – If your home is feeling a little cluttered, use the extra time you have during the holidays to spring clean ahead of time
- Starting a little indoor herb garden
- Refurbishing an old cabinet, bookshelf or dresser
- Painting or drawing
- Art journaling
- Learning a new instrument, or revisiting an old one
The list truly goes on. If you’re stuck trying to figure out a good hobby for yourself, think about what you used to enjoy pursuing as a little kid and see if you can’t reintegrate that into your life.
Get out of the house
Staying cooped up indoors isn’t good for anyone’s mental health. And even though the winter months are cold in most parts of the country, find ways you get outdoors. Go for a walk on sunny days, sit in a coffee shop to read a book (instead of staying on your couch) and explore outdoor Christmas events.
By being around people – even strangers – you may feel less lonely than when isolated indoors.
Support for loneliness during the holidays
Whether you need help processing the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, family difficulties or other symptoms of loneliness heightened during the holidays, Bluff is here to help. Get in contact with one of our admissions team by calling us at (844) 242-0806.
