Coping with loneliness and isolation over the holiday season: what can you do about it?

Why can the holiday season become the source of anxiety for socially isolated people? 

Loneliness, when it is not what we look for, can have a serious impact on our mental health. This can be especially true during the festive season, which is normally the time for sharing and being together with our loved ones. This period can be a source of stress for single and socially isolated people, as it makes them feel even more alone.

The images conveyed by the media and the injunctions to happiness and joy around the festive season can have negative effects on isolated people, as it amplifies their fears and anxieties.

Many people feel lonely over the festive season, but the reasons for this vary from person to person. Here are some of the most common reasons:

• You can't spend the holidays with your family because you live far away from your loved ones - possibly abroad,
  
• You don't have a good relationship with your family,
  
• You have financial difficulties and simply cannot afford to take part in the activities and get-togethers that are popular at this time of year,
  
• You don't celebrate Christmas for cultural or religious reasons. This can create a strong feeling of exclusion if you live in a country where the dominant culture is attached to the celebration of Christmas.

What can you do to feel less lonely during the festive season? 

What can you do to overcome the loneliness you feel over the festive season - or even throughout the year?

Here are some tips that can help:

Treat yourself to something you enjoy 

Doing something that makes you feel good is a wonderful way to overcome the feeling of loneliness. For example, an outdoor walk, a long bath, starting a new book, watching a film, signing up for an group activity (a hobby, a sport) that you enjoy, etc. Winter festive season is a perfect time for taking care of yourself, relaxing and reconnecting with your inner self!

Celebrate together, but differently 

If you can't celebrate Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve with your nearest and dearest because you live too far away, it is possible to find creative ways of being close, without actually being close.

For example, you can open presents, have dinner or breakfast, or do any other festive activity, over a video call with your loved ones.

Many people (neighbours, work colleagues, etc.) may also be in the same situation as you, so why not take the initiative and invite them over?

The festive season is an excellent time to catch up with friends and family, to solidify the existing relationships and, why not, create new ones.

The festive season can be a perfect time to concentrate on yourself 

The end of the year is a good time to take a closer look at your needs and emotions.

Ask yourself questions such as:
‘Is my feeling of loneliness chronic or occasional?’
‘What do I really want: to make new friends, find a life partner, adopt a pet...?’

These questions will help you determine the origin of your feeling of loneliness: is it only linked to Christmas or is it a recurring feeling?

Do some voluntary work or take part in charity events around you 

Every year, a large number of organisations work to bring a sense of community and warmth to all those who feel lonely and isolated.

They organise tea parties, New Year's Eve celebrations, Christmas parcels, events and activities for families or elderly, etc. Get in touch with such organisations in your area to take part in various events, or offer your help over the holidays, or even throughout the year, so that you can meet new people and forge links.

What can I do to help isolated people around me during the holiday season? 

Call or visit your loved ones more often 

A regular visit or phone call can do a lot of good for people who are isolated. So check in regularly with your parents or the elderly people you know. And encourage those around you to do the same.

For the festive season, don't hesitate to invite - if you can - the people you know who may be alone or feel isolated.

Let them know about the events that take place where they live 

If you know someone who has no plans for the festive season, but doesn't want to be alone, you can offer them to take part in the events set up by their local organisations. Don't hesitate to ask around at town halls and search online for local initiatives to keep them informed.

Prepare Christmas boxes for the elderly 

Small acts of kindness is a charity organisation that helps reduce loneliness for socially isolated people, especially the older ones. Its main project is the "Warm in Winter" gift bags that are distributed each year to people who live alone and in cold homes, due to financial problems and isolation.

During the festive season you can take part in the charity's Christmas project - the Christmas boxes: you can donate and volunteer to distribute the presents for elderly people living alone, who do not have anyone from whom they could get a Christmas present. Find out more by visiting Small Acts of Kindness website.

Join a charity organisation or make a donation 

A lot of charities organise special projects for Christmas, especially for the most vulnerable people - the elderly, children, the homeless, families with financial difficulties, etc. If you want to help any of these people via a charity organisation, you have plenty of options:

• donate: money, toys, food, etc;
• organise a fundraising activity, like a bake sale;
• become a volunteer: distribute presents or parcels, help with charity fundraising events, provide and/or distribute Christmas lunches for elderly, lonely, homeless, etc.

Here is a list of charity organisations that help the lonely, and in particular, the lonely older people, along with the information on their current projects and the ways you can help.

And finally... 

The festive season, while bringing joy to many, can also accentuate feelings of loneliness for others. Yet there are many ways of overcoming this isolation: refocusing on yourself, spending time with loved ones, even from a distance, or getting involved in charity events. These initiatives can not only bring comfort to those who feel alone, but also strengthen social ties and give special meaning to this time of year. Everyone, in their own way, can make a difference and help make the festive season brighter for everyone.