The festival season is generally a time of celebration, a time of joy, happiness and love. But for some people, it's a time of loneliness. Some people live far from family and miss being away from their loved ones during these times. This stress can sometimes be amplified by a recent tragedy in the family or friend's group. For those who have lost someone close, no matter how hard they try, the festival just doesn't seem the same any more. 
 
 

There are different factors that can make the festival time very stressful for some people. They include: 
 
1. Inability to be with family 
2. Increased financial pressures 
3. Fatigue 
4. Unrealistic expectations 
5. Memories of past celebrations 
6. Over commercialization 
7. Change in diet 
8. Change in daily routines 

 
If you are feeling stressed out and lonely this festive season, the following suggestions can help: 

You are Not Alone 

You may be feeling alone in your life right now; however, knowing that the holidays can be a lonely time for many people may help you to feel less so. Many people wish they could be with family, but can't; many people long for closer connections with friends, or wish for a supportive romantic relationship, and find themselves feeling isolated during the holidays. While it may be uncomfortable to feel lonely, it's also okay to feel this way. Talking to others who may share your feelings can help you to feel less alone in your situation. 
 
Rethink Your Expectations 

Part of why holidays make many people feel lonely is that our society has set high expectations for this time of the year. The media coverage of the festival season - in particular the images of happy couples and happy families all having the perfect celebrations - makes the absence of one's close family or a romantic partner all the more uncomfortable. 
 
One way to deal with the feelings of loneliness is to re-think your expectations, and realize that few people's lifestyles truly measure up to "movie standards" of perfect living. Shift your focus instead to all the great things you do have in your life. If your family is far from you, realizing that it's just fine to celebrate the festival with neighbours, friends or colleagues will make you feel happier. 

Get Connected 

It is possible to feel lonely when surrounded by people, but it's harder to feel lonely when you're reaching out to them. Reaching out to people and strengthening bonds can help you feel more connected and less lonely, not only at this time of the year but always. So reach out and connect - whether it is to say hello to neighbors you're usually too rushed to acknowledge, or exchanging friendly words with people at the office, or picking up the phone and calling an old friend you haven't spoken to in a while. 

Give to Others 

One excellent way to feel less lonely during the holidays is to donate your time to a cause you believe in. Helping the less fortunate can fill you with feelings of love and pride and even connect you with others who share your passion. You'll be part of something larger than yourself, and you'll be immersing yourself in the true spirit of the festive season. 

Sleep Regularly, Eat Right and Exercise 

Changing sleeping patterns and irregular eating can wreak havoc on not only your physical health, but your mental health as well. Try to go to bed at the same time every night to establish a pattern. Eating regularly will keep your energy level up and help you avoid binging later in the day. Exercise is another natural mood booster. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. 

Expose Yourself to Natural Light 

Open the curtains during the day. Sunlight has been shown to be a natural mood booster. Many people may not realize it, but spending too much time indoors, whether by watching TV or working on the computer, can cause them to feel low. Being out in natural daylight can actually cheer you up besides helping your body produce Vitamin D. 

By following these tips, you can not only beat the ‘festival blues' but also have a good time during holidays! 

You can also go through the article Celebrating Away From Home. 

If you would like to discuss this further or need some help or support in this or any other area, our counsellors would be happy to help. 
 
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