Loneliness at Christmas

Read our guest blog on loneliness at Christmas.

Loneliness at Christmas can have a huge impact on your mental health. Samantha from Connect to Grow shares about her experiences and top tips to help combat loneliness around Christmas time.

"Christmas evokes such a wide range of emotions in me. I always loved Christmas – the magic, the music, the warmth of family and laughter but my experience in 2015, changed my perspective. I spent the lead up to Christmas and part of Christmas day unexpectedly at hospital. I was alone, surrounded by hospital staff spreading the cheer whilst simultaneously experiencing a level of distraught, pain and sadness I had never experienced before. Knowing many of my friends and family would be in the midst of the Christmas magic, it felt unfair to reach out and ruin their Christmas. I never felt more isolated. It opened my naïve childlike eyes to a more painful side of Christmas.”

So, what can we do to help ourselves and others who may be feeling isolated at Christmas? Here are five things you can do to help yourselves and others:

1. Reach out – give permission to yourself to reach out and get the support you might need. This might be from a family member, a friend or a colleague. It might also be from organisations that offer you support for your wellbeing, or by volunteering and being around people.
2. Self-care – what makes you feel better? I often find fresh air helps me but equally sometimes does my favourite film, getting crafty or playing my piano. Do more of what makes your heart sing.
3. Connect with others – whether you notice a neighbour or a friend that’s isolated or you are feeling isolated yourself, connecting with others is so important. Whether you join someone for a Christmas meal or virtually connect over a phone call or video platform, connecting with others is so important for our wellbeing.
4. Make it your own – it can often feel competitive at Christmas with all the decorations, gifting, traditions and Christmas food. Make this time of year work for you, whatever that might look like! There is no right or wrong way.
5. Permission – this might seem back to front but at Christmas, I feel the need to say yes to everyone and my break from work is usually the busiest time of the year! Give yourself permission to say no if you need some “you” time.  

If you struggle with isolation and your wellbeing, why not come and try one of our Connect to Grow Groups to connect with others and have a safe space where you can explore and discuss things that you may be struggling with.

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