How to Cope with Loneliness During the Holidays
Are you alone this holiday season? Here are some tips and advice that might help you cope with loneliness.
The trained and caring listener will help you sort out your feelings, help you find options, and just be a good listener. This option is only meant to be used to help you temporarily. Avoid calling on a regular basis.
Join a Church
Church isn’t solely a place to worship God and grow spiritually, it’s also a place to building friendships, find encouragement, and get support through tough times. I cannot imagine going through life without a church family. If you’ve never been to church, don’t be embarrassed, there are many churches that would be thrilled for you to join their family. I recommend calling a church first, asking for a one-on-one Bible study, or asking if someone will meet you at the door on your first visit. If you aren’t sure what church to choose, I personally recommend the Church of Christ. You might be able to find one in your area at church-of-christ.org. If you go to the church and have a bad experience, don’t give up, try a new one.
Eat Out
If you feel brave enough to go eat out at restaurant alone, I highly encourage it. Bring a book if you want. For some ideas on where to eat at, read “Restaurants Open on Christmas Day.”
Join a Meet-Up Group
Check out the website, www.meetup.com, where you will find a variety of different types of real-life groups. For example, in San Antonio, there’s the “Taste of San Antonio” group, where members eat out together as well as participating in other fun activities. Perhaps you could participate in some group activities that meet during the holidays. Better yet, you could start your own group specifically for people in your area who are alone during the holidays. (I’m sure this would work great in a larger city.) You could arrange for everyone to eat out on Christmas Day together. I highly recommend only meeting in public at first for safety reasons.
Go to a Movie on Christmas Day
If you don’t want to spend Christmas Day completely alone at your place, consider going to a movie. If your thinking you can handle being around couples and families, I recommend getting out and going to the theater. When the lights turn off and the movie starts to play, no one will know you’re alone. It is a good way to escape and relieve some stress.
Go on A Cruise
Okay, this one only applies if you have a lot of money saved and can afford it. If you are able to splurge, I recommend treating yourself to a nice cruise. My husband and I took our first cruise last year, and there was an older man at our table who was travelling alone. He was widowed and took cruises alone frequently. People travel alone on cruises all of the time. If your budget will allow it, it’s the perfect way to get away from the stress of the world.
Pamper Yourself
This one applies to women mostly. Take a nice long hot relaxing bath, light a few candles and meditate. This can help reduce stress and be very calming. Perhaps find a good book to read as well. A few days before the holiday, consider getting a professional massage. If you’ve never had one, now is a fantastic time to do so.
Get Counseling
If you don’t like being alone, and really wish you could find someone, perhaps its time to find a counselor. Getting counseling is a sign of strength. This is by no means saying that being alone is a bad thing, but that sometimes getting counseling can help you cope with loneliness and find support. If you cannot afford a counselor, call 211. Read How to Get Social Service Help By Calling 211, and ask the 211 operator for free or low cost counseling referrals. Most churches offer free counseling as well, you might call some local churches.
If you are a single parent, read How to Find Support as a Single Mom.
Take it Easy. Hang in There! Merry Christmas!
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