A lonely Christmas is still possible because the coronavirus cases are still at a peak in most countries. Additionally, Christmas is a highly commercialised season that can be more triggering than serve as a feeling of togetherness and love. A survey conducted in 2020 showed that one in four people from the United Kingdom felt more lonely during the last two weeks of December.
However, Rachel Boyd, information manager at the mental health charity called Mind, says, ‘loneliness isn’t the same as being alone. Some people choose to be alone and live happily without a lot of contacts.” What aggravates these thoughts of loneliness is the pressure that comes with Christmas, Boyd emphasises.
Therefore, if you are spending the holidays alone, do not let that be the highlight, rather change your perspective and use this time to rest and do things that are fulfilling.
Tips to avoid a lonely Christmas
Here are some tips on how you can have an eventful holiday season all by yourself.
Cook your favourite childhood meal
The holidays are all about nostalgia and reminiscing on some of your favourite childhood memories, so why not do that by cooking a comforting meal that will bring all those aspects together? This is also an act of showing affection and care for yourself, and according to Medical News Today, self-compassion builds resilience and self adversity, which helps people recover from trauma or romantic separations.
Listen to a joyful playlist
You can set your own mood and vibe with a joyful playlist you like. It does not have to be Christmas carols, but it can just be a list of songs that make you feel happy.
Binge-watch your favourite shows
If you already have so much time to yourself, then why not relax and binge-watch your favourite shows? Some people have been working tirelessly throughout the year and the holidays are there for people to rest and rejuvenate for the new year. Therefore, finding anything that will help you rest is the perfect thing to do if you are spending Christmas alone.
Volunteer in a charity
Giving back is another big part of Christmas, and charities are the perfect way to spend the day helping others. According to The Help Guide, the connection you have with the people and the fulfilment that comes with it is good for your mind and it helps with alleviating loneliness.
Read a good book
Invest in yourself and spend your holidays enriching your mind. You can spend that time alone reading an interesting book that will give you an escape into a different reality. And when you are done, you can drop a few gems for your friends and family via facetime because virtual connections are also meaningful.