Here’s how to avoid overwhelming loneliness this holiday season

Combat loneliness this holiday season with these tips provided by the USU Extension, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of USU Extension, St. George News

FEATURE — The holidays bring mistletoe, caroling, eggnog, gift-giving, family and friends. However, for some, the holidays can also bring loneliness.

Stock image | Photo by Victor_69/iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

A recent survey from the American Association of Retired Persons found that 31% of respondents said they had felt lonely during the holiday season sometime in the past five years, and 41% worried about a family member or friend feeling alone. Though loneliness is common, there are things you can do to enjoy the season, no matter what your situation. Consider these tips.

Service

Think of someone in need or a good cause to support when you are feeling down. Service can help improve your mood and sense of self-worth. Service has been shown to improve conflict resolution skills and vocational capacity among adolescents.

An act of kindness can be as easy as helping a family member, friend or neighbor in need. If you are looking for a service opportunity, an internet search can help you find people and organizations with needs in your area.

Don’t let the holiday season get you down with these tips from the University of Utah Extension, locaiton and date unspecified | Photo courtesy USU Extension, St. George News

Social relationships

We all need friends, family and loved ones. However, even those with loved ones around them can feel lonely or have mental health challenges. If you start feeling lonely this year, reach out to friends or family members. Something as simple as sending a text or engaging in a conversation can lift your spirits.

Self-love

Some psychologists believe that our level of self-love is connected to our ability to love others and that to love yourself, you need to know and take care of yourself. Doing something nice for yourself can help increase your happiness. For example, give yourself a gift, write in your journal, watch a movie or enjoy nature. Whatever it is, do something meaningful to you that makes you happy.

Gratitude

Even when circumstances seem bleak, practicing gratitude can help you remember the good things you have in life. Studies show that gratitude is associated with well-being and can be used to help face difficult times. To increase your gratitude, write a note, verbally express appreciation to those around you or make a gratitude list.

There are things you can do to help combat loneliness and poor mental health during the holiday season. Implementing ideas from the examples provided may help improve your mood and make the holidays happier.

For a list of references and citations, click here.

Written by CINDY JENKINS, Utah State University Extension assistant professor, 385-268-6538.

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