Some coping tips if spending the holidays alone

THE holidays are often seen as a season of love, joy and togetherness. But this is not the case for everyone. Whether it is your personal choice or you find yourself emotionally or physically distanced from family and friends, there are a few ways to manage spending the holidays alone.

Also read: The best-case scenario this holiday season

Share your time
Giving your time to support a cause is a great way to give back and do good, particularly during the holidays. The season is typically filled with opportunities to help those in need, including volunteering at a local animal shelter, donating clothing you no longer use, or visiting an old-age home. Volunteering can make you feel good about yourself and your life.

Give thanks
Expressing gratitude can help you appreciate what you have, focus on the positives in life, and see the good in others. It can also help you heal. Research suggests that practising gratitude can improve your overall health and wellness, as well as help with feelings of loneliness. A gratitude journal is a great way to get started. You could begin by writing down all the things you’re grateful for, from the basic everyday things to the more existential ones.

Seek out connection
Self-isolating can cause feelings of loneliness, which could negatively affect your overall health.
Maybe you will not be around the people you are usually with during the holiday season. You can try figuring out if you feel a need to withdraw from those who are around. Reaching out to others can help you regain a sense of connection. This could also apply to loved ones who are not in the same area.

Set goals
Setting goals, creating a plan, and organising a schedule for what you want to achieve during the holidays can help you think less about being alone and more about how to do you. Try thinking about one thing you want to achieve this season. Once you have a goal in mind, you can start planning the steps you will need to reach it. Then, consider adding these to your calendar to keep yourself accountable, and get started on moving your plan forward.

Treat yourself
The holidays often represent a season of giving, but you do not only have to give to others. You can also treat yourself during this time. Treating yourself might mean buying an item you have had your eye on for a while, visiting a few places you have not had time to, or indulging in your favourite dessert.

Feel your feelings
Not every moment is going to be merry and bright when you are spending the holidays alone, and that’s okay. You may want to avoid anticipating how you will feel, but you can be ready to embrace however that is. Making space for your emotions — even the less pleasant ones — can be part of the healing process the holidays offer. Perhaps spending these days alone may give room for you to express your feelings freely.

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