There are a lot of people who experience feelings of extreme loneliness during the holiday season. If you’re one of them, understand it’s normal and there’s nothing wrong with you.
The sadness that comes from holiday loneliness does not necessarily have anything to do with actually being alone, although it sometimes can. The holiday season puts a tremendous amount of pressure on people and eventually, something’s got to give.
We are bombarded with constant reminders and advertisements that tell us how we should be feeling and how we should spend our holidays. All this pressure can lead us to feel completely alone even if we are surrounded by friends and family.
If you are experiencing this loneliness right now, there are a few things you can do to make it a little bit better.
The most important thing to do when you are feeling down during the holiday season is to embrace it and know you are not alone. Holiday loneliness is a phenomenon that we experience as a natural response to all the pressure, and there are a lot of other people in the world who are feeling the very same way you are. Relax your mind and understand the sadness and loneliness will pass. This may sound easier said than done, but it’s not. Your will is very powerful and it is there to serve you – use it!
Limit your exposure to advertisements, they are not your friends. Advertisements are psychologically tuned to make you feel as though if you don’t buy the product advertised for your loved ones, you are deficient. It is not healthy to allow them into your head.
Keep the pressure light on yourself by keeping your plans for the holidays simple. Don’t imagine going overboard with gifts or parties. In this kind of situation, our expectations never manifest in reality.
If you find yourself truly isolated and need to be around other people, get out of the house and go to a coffee shop. You can take a book and just be around others. Human beings are social animals and being in the presence of other people will dissipate your feelings of isolation, even if you are not speaking directly with them.
If your feelings of loneliness stem from the fact that you are actually isolated from family, try to connect with them through technology. Social media posts, comments, and video chats are excellent ways to stay in contact with distant family and friends.
One final note: If you find yourself feeling out of control and overcome with depression to the point that you have thoughts of hurting yourself, this is not a situation you should try to handle alone. Never ignore escalating feelings of desperation. If you are unable to connect with family or friends, there are resources you should consider.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
If you are apprehensive about calling a voice line, you can also text MHA to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor from Crisis Text Line.
Always remember: you are not alone – even if it sometimes feels that way.
Lethal Focus 