Holiday Loneliness And Coping With It

Image result for lonely person
Photo Credit: Irishtimes.com
Holiday Loneliness

The holidays bring together family, friends and a boatload of stress, the blues, and even isolation. This can be attributed to many reasons.

First, we have our own personal expectations, and those people around us help to contribute to the continued pressure and less-than feelings. Everyone is different and everyone is different in different stages of their lives.

Levels of Expectation

Different stages of our lives bring different feelings. Happiness is gauged by feeling. Examples can be anything from becoming a new empty-nester, to suffering a loss of a loved one near to you. You are considered vulnerable during times such as these. These, however, may be brief in nature or have even varying degrees of loneliness associated with them, But interestingly most psychologists agree that another level of loneliness can be associated with your personal self-worth or self-esteem.

Definitions

A simple Oxford dictionary definition renders this:

Loneliness:
1. sadness because one had no friends or company
2.(of a place) the quality of being unfrequented and remote; isolation.

But psychologists define it somewhat differently and wider:
According to Britannica.com (science)


Loneliness, distressing experience that occurs when a person’s social relationships are perceived by that person to be less in quantity, and especially in quality, than desired. The experience of loneliness is highly subjective; an individual can be alone without feeling lonely and can feel lonely even when with other people. Psychologists generally consider loneliness to be a stable trait, meaning that individuals have different set-points for feeling loneliness, and they fluctuate around these set-points depending on the circumstances in their lives.


Image result for lonely person
photo credit: Sciencealert.com
We all know we can suffer from past traumas. These can leave us with emotional scars. It is how we cope that makes the difference.

Coping

We as people tend to feed our own less-than-adequate feelings, and those of loneliness. A great way to cope with all of this is to seek the company of others. Even if one doesn't have a close friend or family nearby, one should head off to the shopping mall or go to a busy coffee shop. Engage in interesting activities by joining a group. If you do have a close family or friend, one should share your feelings with them.
Image result for lonely person
photo credit: shutterstock.com
What To Avoid

Most professionals and doctors agree that one should avoid social media at all costs. There are too many ways we as people put undue comparisons on ourselves vis social media. They truly advise limiting your usage as one way to cope.
Image result for taking care of yourself
photo credit: Tumblr.com


Taking Care Of Yourself

Always care for yourself first. If you didn't make 10 dozen cookies for the Christmas party, just eliminate it from your list of things to do. Period. Learning to say no. Taking the burden from yourself. No one is going to miss them, and if they do, simply apologize and say I had too much on my plate; maybe next year. Do only the priorities. Then and only then, reevaluate your list to include crossed off items. 

Make Yourself Feel Good

Get a good night's sleep. Shower or take a nice bath before bed, drink a warm chamomile tea. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, turn off the television, turn off the computer, and turn off the phone. Practice meditation and visualization, this is a great way to set your mind at ease and get you ready to sleep naturally.

Image result for taking care of yourself
Photo Credit: motivationandchange.com

Last Notes:

Know that many people feel this way, and experience these types of loneliness feelings. Please know that you are living a regular life and it isn't realistic to try to attain the life of an Instagrammer you follow; whose house is expertly decorated and the wrapped gifts are show-stopping nor or even the life of someone in a movie. The things you see on social media or on television shows are truly fictional.

One needs to put themselves first. Feel good about all that you do accomplish, adjust the burdens that you carry during the holidays. Dole out responsibilities to others, or cut your to-do list in half. 
Doing these things should have you celebrating a wonderful, less-stressful and more enjoyable holiday season.

Disclaimer:
*This article is for the enjoyment of my Lifestyle readers. This blog does not provide medical advice, nor does it diagnose any problems medical or not. Please seek the advice of your family doctor. I have provided some phone numbers and websites below for further reference and information.

The Institute On Aging Toll-Free number 1 (800) 971-0016

Crisistextline.org    for information and text to phone advice, services USA, UK, and CA

For UK residents https:// www.campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk 






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dimethicone: Chemical Gets A Bad Rap

Image
What is dimethicone? Why does it get such a bad rap?  It is primarily because it is a commonly used product and an additive, and secondarily it is a man-made silicone polymer and it’s always listed alongside things like phthalates and triclosan. It is a chemical. Dimethicone is in a lot of cosmetics and in products given to you by a certified dermatologist and even in items for babies. Chemistry Photo credit: Pinterest Dimethicone is normally only used topically and found in the cream type form. Dimethicone works because it forms a barrier for and against moisture by doing one of two things, trapping it on the skin or trapping it away from the skin. It fills pores and smooths the look of the skin may fill in wrinkles and fine lines on the face, and it also provides an emollient that will sooth skin to fight the effects of sunburn and diaper rash. Photo Credit: Craftology Dimethicone is effective. It is prominent in moisturizers and in primers, it is an i...
Read more

Deadliest Record-Breaking Cold Weather Is Dangerous

Image
Photo Credit: Medicentres.com Today's post is in response to the dangerous cold and record-breaking weather that is upon approximately 110 million people! I am currently one of those people in the path of this polar vortex weather, and I am not happy. Midwesterners are tough, rugged and live through a lot of weather extremes, however, what is predicted to come for the next two days is just dangerous. A little less than half of the North American continent has an extreme weather forecast right now and in the next week or so. My area tomorrow is predicted to be in the -50 (negative temps) to possible -60's !. The sub-zero temps are here already, but tonight and tomorrow will be excruciating! A meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center is passing along information right now telling the American public the exposed skin in that kind of extreme will take only a matter of seconds to frostbite and cause hypothermia. According to the Mayo Clinic   (s...
Read more

Magnolias In My Kitchen Very Simple Flower Centerpiece

Image
It's a very cold January day and not one glimpse of the sun is to be had. The ground is covered in snow and now there's even freezing drizzle/rain to add into making this a long winter's day. There's only one thing you can do is to bring warmth in, by way of flowers. I have these two magnolia stems sitting right near me, One has three blooms on it and one has two. They feel bright and remind me of summer. Those warm days where the car windows are down and the Grateful Dead are playing Sugar Magnolia on the radio. And the only thing you can do is wave your arms out to feel the breeze while you're singing the song! A lovely flower centerpiece will liven, brighten and warm my room. So I gathered a  few things: the two magnolia stems Some dried green moss, that I use often, it truly makes me think of spring and summer with its very vibrant green and even brown sticks!  2 very large bell-shaped dimpled glass containers, graduated in size the large ...
Read more