Things for Lonely People to Do Over the Holidays

The holidays can be a great time to meet new people.

Many people find the holidays to be a difficult time. While they traditionally bring family and friends together, many people may find themselves alone for the holidays for a variety of reasons. As many as 20 percent of Americans experience feelings of loneliness during the holidays. If you find yourself in this situation, you have many options to connect or reconnect with people in your life.

Join a Group

The holidays are a perfect time to branch out and meet other people who may be feeling the same as you. Look around your community and online for groups that may share your interests. Some places to look are nearby churches or other places of worship, universities, senior centers and community centers. Many websites can help you find these groups; Craigslist, Meetup.com or Couchsurfing all provide its members with ways to meet. Even dating websites often have options for people only looking for friends. Many people find themselves alone for the holidays and would love company.

Reconnect

Use the holidays as a time to reconnect with family and old friends. Call or write Christmas cards, letters and emails to people you have not spoken to recently. Also, think of neighbors, coworkers and other people you see on a regular basis.

Treat Yourself

Spend some time on yourself for the holidays. Eat some of your favorite meals, buy yourself a present or pick up a new hobby. Spend some time reflecting on all the positives in your life instead of focusing solely on your loneliness. Face your emotions; try to determine why you feel lonely and make a plan for how you can fix the problem. Write yourself a letter reminding yourself about how good of a person you are and what you can do to make yourself feel better. If you feel hopeless, consider speaking with a professional who can give you insight.

Volunteer

At any time of year, volunteering is a great way to meet people, feel accomplished and help those less fortunate. Homeless shelters, soup kitchens and many other charities need help in the colder winter months. Search the Internet for opportunities close to you, or contact charity groups directly. Some places, such as the community service office of universities and churches, may have directories of charities looking for volunteers.

References

• A Better You Blog: How to Overcome Loneliness, During the Holidays or Any Time
• "The Epoch Times"; Holiday Loneliness; W. Gifford-Jones, M.D.; 2008
• Salon.com: What Your Loneliness Is Telling You
• Psych Central; Alone During the Holidays? Join the Crowd; Laurie Stoneham