Combating Loneliness During Holidays
Holidays are one of the most euphoric times in a year. In a country as diverse as ours, we are greeted by a festival every second month. The coming few months are probably the most jubilant times, not just in our country but throughout the world. It is, however, a paradox that the same elated period of time is one of the most difficult times for a few. People experiencing loneliness find it particularly hard to cope up during holidays.
Loneliness is a sense of emotional, mental, and social isolation formed due to multiple incidents and reasons mounting up over a period of time. One must understand that loneliness is not just a feeling born because of the absence of a partner, companion, or friend. It is driven by multiple factors and situations like the death of a close one, separations, and migrations amongst many others.
Today’s family structures are predominantly nuclear. Not all of us have the luxury of choice of living with our family and having friends around us. In such situations, holidays can be quite stimulating for someone already experiencing Loneliness.
For some, loneliness strikes even when they are surrounded by their close ones. It stems from a feeling of emotional isolation and slowly builds to a person cocooning themselves into a garb of reclusion and negativity. They tend to judge their existing relationships; a sense of unwantedness creeps in and blurs their optics. Loneliness, like any other ailment, can be overcome and contained by small steps and changes.
Here are some ways to overcome the feeling of persistent loneliness during holidays:
Enhances Awareness:
More often than not, people experiencing loneliness keep dwindling down into the hole of self-doubt and pity. A feeling that they might not be wanted in a group of people keeps haunting them. The first step to escape that is to make the first move and put the effort of getting in touch with friends and family.
Take that Diwali leave, visit family, meet friends, and spend quality time with them. Spending quality time with family and friends automatically makes you feel lighter and gives you some peace of mind.
Our Cue: Certain festivals have an inherent warmth and reminiscence in them that can help revive crumbling relationships more effectively.
Expand your circle:
As and when we grow older, the number of friends we choose to surround ourselves with also keeps subsiding. Expanding our circle of friends may also help one experiencing loneliness feel better and wanted.
Invite a few new friends over for a meal over a holiday and spend time building a relationship. You never know, they too might be feeling blue owing to the hullabaloo around holidays.
Accept and let go:
Intense incidents like separation or death of a close family, friend or pet tend to leave a huge dent in our lives. Certain festivals might bring about memories of past instances with them adding to one’s grief. Holidays might be a time to make peace with reality and bid farewell to them.
Adopt a new pet. It might help you channelize and convert your grief into solace.
 Our Cue: In modern times, Therapy Dogs have proved to be one of the most effective ways in helping someone suffering from emotional and mental instability. They provide comfort, companionship and act as a diversion from unpleasant thoughts.
Rebuild Relationships:
Holidays and festivities can also be a time to rekindle and rebuild relationships that you might feel distant from. If you are in a situation where you are surrounded by close family and friends and still feel a sense of loneliness, this might be the time to work on your relationships and do some damage control.
Plan a movie night with your siblings, revisit your favorite movies from your childhood, share a laugh. You won’t believe what nostalgia can do to the process of repairing lost relationships.
Give back:
It is believed that happiness manifolds when shared with others. Charity and social work not just helps one feel light and good but also puts a smile on the face of someone less fortunate. It helps one be a part of a bigger community and pull out of muddling in their thoughts.
Embrace:
Take this opportunity and work on yourself. Learn a new skill, work on yourself, pick up a lost interest, pamper yourself, and relish solitude. Embrace yourself and appreciate what you have. As they say, when life gives you a lemon, make lemonade.
When humans first invented Holidays (Holy-days), it was meant as a day to relax, enjoy, and rejuvenate. It is ironic that today, the same day causes stress and anxiety to so many people, especially the ones going through loneliness. It can be particularly difficult to stay adrift when everyone around us seems to be happy and we feel miserable inside. In times like this, we need to protect ourselves from our own imagination and cynicism. We need to curb the feeling of being wronged and unwanted and replenish ourselves with positive thoughts and motives. Nobody controls us but our minds.
*DISCLAIMER*
The following content is for information purposes only. We, in no way claim or assure that using the information can be a substitute for any kind of medical treatment if any. If you are diagnosed with any kind of medical/clinical condition please do not avoid visiting a professional.
ABOUT THE TENDER CURVE:
Our purpose is to spread positivity and motivation by focusing on self-love and self-care. We also work towards reducing the stigma around mental health and by creating mental health awareness through our blogs.
People today have forgotten how to be happy; they have forgotten what it is to be inspired what it to be real & motivated. We all are so busy with our daily lives today that we have forgotten to take time out for ourselves. We are here to remind you that you are special in your own ways. We are here to remind you that it’s okay to not finish a task, or meet deadlines, its ok not to be ok! You deserve to be happy, you deserve to smile, you deserve to be cared for and loved.
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