Navigating loneliness during Christmas: Practical and compassionate tips to help yourself and those around you
It’s Christmas!!! The retail parks are blocked by long lines of stationary traffic, while inside the shops long queues of people shuffle towards distant tills as if dancing a slow Christmas conga to the endless loop of seasonal songs… Cars, carols, people everywhere…and yet Christmas can also be a very lonely time for many as year after year more and more of us find ourselves living alone.
At this time of the year when the dark winter nights can seem to last so very long, it’s easy to withdraw and simply sink into the shadow world of solitude. But…if you can, perhaps pick up a spark of bright energy from the twinkling Christmas lights and choose to act by doing something that can not only help yourself but also those around you.
With this in mind, we invite you to take a few moments to read through our suggestions below and see if any of them strike a friendly chord with you and prompt you into action.
1. Seek Professional Support
If feelings of loneliness become overwhelming, please remember to seek support from a mental health professional, such as Alliance Plus. Therapists and counsellors can provide valuable tools and strategies to help you cope. Many offer virtual sessions, making it much easier to access support from home.
Other organisations to contact for support include…
- NHS – 111 option 2
- Tees Esk Wear Valley – 0800 0516 171
- Age UK – 0800 678 1602.
- Carers UK – 0808 808 7777
- The Silver Line – 0800 470 8090
- Reengage – 0800 716 543
- Shout – text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
- Samaritans – 116 123
- SANEline – 0300 304 7000
- Lifeline – 0808 808 8000
- Papyrus – 0800 068 4141
- The Compassionate Friends – 0345 123 2304
- The Mix – text ‘THEMIX’ to 85258
- Kooth – 0808 196 3550
2. Acknowledge Your Feelings
Recognise and accept your emotions, as best you can. It’s okay to feel lonely. If you find that you are unable to talk to anyone, journaling can be a helpful way to gain some clarity and release pent-up emotions.
3. Reach Out to Others
Connecting with others, even if it feels difficult, can make a big difference. You could choose to reach out to friends, family, or community members through phone calls, texts, or video chats. If you don’t have anyone, then you might consider joining an online community or find a local support group, such as Andy’s Man Club, many of which arrange meetings during the holiday season.
4. Engage in Acts of Kindness
Helping others can create a great sense of purpose and connection. You might like to look towards local charities, shelters, or community centres that need assistance. Volunteering your time or resources can be very rewarding. Even small acts of kindness, for example, such as sending a thoughtful card or baking for a neighbour, can help create a sense of community and help you to feel good about yourself.
5. Create New Traditions
Traditional holiday activities for some of us can trigger feelings of loneliness. So, if you wish, you might like to consider having fun in creating a new tradition that could bring you a sense of joy. This could be anything from a solo movie marathon, cooking a special meal, or taking a walk in a local park. The key is to find activities that you genuinely enjoy.
6. Practise Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
Mindfulness can help you stay present and reduce feelings of loneliness. You might like to try out meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga and in time perhaps choose to make one of these activities part of your daily routine or join a local group. Practising self-compassion by treating yourself with kindness and understanding can seem challenging, but research has shown that it can be really helpful in encouraging us to treat ourselves with greater understanding and care. You might also remind yourself that it’s okay to feel lonely and that these feelings, like all emotions, tend to be temporary.
7. Limit Social Media Use
Social media can be a great way of keeping in contact with distant family and friends. It can also, however, deepen our sense of loneliness, perhaps by encouraging comparison with others who appear to live socially active lives. You might like to reflect carefully on what you engage with on social media and instead focus more on those activities that make you feel connected and good.
8. Plan for the Future
Having something to look forward to can help alleviate feelings of loneliness. Plan a future activity or trip that excites you, even if it’s months away. Having a goal or event on the horizon can provide a sense of hope and anticipation.
Feeling lonely during Christmas is more common than you might think and if you are feeling lonely, that it’s okay to notice and acknowledge these feelings. By taking small steps to connect with others, engage in meaningful activities and practise self-compassion, you may be able to make what can be a challenging time into a much more fulfilling time and bring yourself a greater sense of ease and peace. Remember, it’s okay to seek help and prioritise your mental health.
Wishing you peace and comfort this holiday season.
The Alliance Plus Team
