Christmas is a time for family and friends to get together and enjoy the season’s festivities. With lovely restful time off and endless social events that can make you feel surrounded by love and really feeling the festive cheer.
But for some it can be a really tough time, especially if they are spending Christmas alone. The festive period emphasises feelings of loneliness. If you are far from your loved ones, or have friends and relatives that can’t be with you, whether it’s your first Christmas alone or one of many, it is an important time to take care of mental health, whether your own, or someone you know.
And even if you are not alone this Christmas it’s worth taking the time to recharge your batteries and use any moments of peace and quiet as an opportunity to take care of yourself.
Reaching out when you’re struggling is so important and is always okay
Lottie Booth Apprentice Content Producer in the People Team
Spending Christmas alone
Reach out – if you’re struggling with being alone this Christmas, then reach out to family, friends or even a professional. Don’t be afraid of asking for help. Online communities or helplines are also a great place to go if you’re feeling lonely and just need someone to talk to.
Reflecting on the year – Try to embrace the time on your own and use it to reflect on all your achievements from the year, big or small. Writing them down could be a way to see everything you’ve done and feel proud of yourself.
Self-Care – If you're alone on Christmas day, make it a self-care day. Whether that’s pampering yourself, whether it’s simply doing something you love or having a long, relaxing bath. Spend the time looking after yourself and putting yourself first.
Set goals – Setting goals for the year ahead is a great way to make useful organisation of your time and give you something to strive and look forward to. Things such as creating vision boards are great ways to have fun while planning for the future.
Spending Christmas alone doesn’t mean it has to lose all its magic. It can be a deeply personal day for you to focus on what brings you joy. Take the time to refresh and relax and know there are always people out there for you.
Supporting others this Christmas
If you know of any loved ones spending Christmas alone it is good to stay supportive. It may not be as easy to see them over the festive period but there are other ways you can show them your support.
Get in touch – whether it’s a call, a text or a quick chat, it can really help to remind them that they are valued and they aren’t truly alone even though they may be feeling that way. A card or a small gift could also really make the difference to someone at that time. Being there for someone who may be struggling is so important. You could even plan a virtual celebration with them.
Spend quality time – if it’s not the big day itself, it could also be beneficial to book in some time to do something on another day so even if they can’t be included on Christmas Day, they know they are still thought of and have something else to look forward to.
Encourage and understand – It’s important to let them know that how they feel during this time is valid, so try and listen to how they may need support at this time. You could also encourage them to create their own traditions and do things that make them happy. Encourage them to try and stay positive but also understand if that’s hard for them.
Other things to do to help others
It’s not only people you know that may be alone this Christmas. There are 1,000s of people across the country that will spend Christmas alone or find the festive period a hard time due to a range of circumstances.
Volunteering – Not only can volunteering help you feel the true spirit of Christmas by helping others, but it can also be incredibly beneficial to you as well. This could be at a food bank, a local shelter, or a community event. These meaningful social interactions can really help at a time that people need it most.
Volunteering can be a win-win scenario, as it can give you your own sense of purpose and whether this is for those who are in need, or simply being there for friends or family. It can be rewarding for both you and others, and can be as simple as offering an ear to listen to those who need it.
Christmas time alone can be scary, and helping yourself or others doesn’t always have to require a massive gesture, it can often be the small heartfelt actions that truly matter.
So remember, reaching out when you’re struggling is so important and is always okay. And there is always help out there.
Additional information
- Information and support – Mind
- Mental health – NHS
- Samaritans – Also call 116 123 for free
- Better Help – Online guidance to therapy
- Help the Aged – Help change Christmas for an isolate older person
- Royal Volunteering Service – find somewhere to help in your area
- FareShare – Fighting hunger and tackling food waste
Lottie Booth is an Apprentice Content Producer in the People Team
