Strategies for Finding Joy in Solo Holidays Moments

Who doesn’t like to go on a vacation with family and friends? but at times one needs to make a hard choice. Whether it’s your decision or you’re emotionally or physically separated from family and friends, there are a few strategies to cope while spending the holidays alone. It’s common to feel lonely, unhappy, or unmotivated, especially if you’re new to this or have lost someone. However, you may want to consider taking some of that weight off your shoulders and look into methods that make the holidays more manageable for you.

Here are some tips for navigating holidays alone

1. Recognizing and embracing your feelings

Recognizing and embracing whatever you are feeling without judgment is the first step toward navigating the holidays on your own. It’s acceptable to experience a variety of emotions, including melancholy and loneliness. The first step toward progress is to validate your feelings.

2. Build Significant Rituals

Even if you are physically alone, you may develop meaningful traditions that offer you delight. Participate in activities that correspond with your interests or try new ones. Finding satisfaction in solitary activities, such as watching a holiday movie marathon, creating a special meal, or going for a winter walk, may improve your mood.

3. Regularly expressing Gratitude has several advantages

Expressing thankfulness may help you appreciate what you have, concentrate on the positive aspects of life, and recognize the good in others. As per Research in 2019. Practising thankfulness can enhance your general health and happiness while also reducing feelings of loneliness. A thankfulness diary is an excellent way to get started. You may start by writing down everything you’re grateful for, from the simplest things to the most profound. Not only will this offer you a tangible record to reflect on in times of need, but research shows journaling can also help you create a practice that puts things into perspective and creates a positive outlook on life.

4. Share your time

Giving your time to help the needy is an excellent way to give back and do good, especially during the holidays. During the season, there are several possibilities to assist people in need, including:

• Participate in a gift drive.
• Volunteering may help you feel better about yourself and your life.
• Consider offering Christmas meals to the needy, volunteering at an animal shelter, donating unwanted clothing, visiting an elderly living facility, or sending cards.

In 2017, researchers discovered that it can improve overall health, particularly for people in underprivileged groups. Volunteering can also help you feel more connected to persons and causes that you care about. Many organisations and NGOs provide information and resources about volunteer opportunities directly on their websites.

Related: Psychology Behind Holiday Stress

5. Allow your imagination to flow

While decorating, baking, and doing holiday-themed arts and crafts are all methods to let your creative juices flow, they aren’t the only ways to express yourself over the holidays. When you’re spending the holidays alone, it’s easy to avoid usual rituals or activities. Instead of focusing on what you are missing, try utilising your time to build new habits for yourself. This can involve a variety of things, such as:

• Doing anything non-holiday-oriented, like watching a horror movie marathon.
• Perform a cleaning and good luck ritual at home and complete a themed puzzle.
• Create a personal tribute for people who are no longer with you. Plan an annual Christmas Day movie date with yourself or friends.

Related: Healing Through Art: The Power of Creative Expression

6. Treat yourself

The holidays are frequently associated with giving, but you are not limited to doing so. You can also indulge yourself at this time. It is all up to you. Treating yourself might be purchasing an item you’ve been eyeing for a long time, travelling to areas you haven’t had time to see, or indulging in your favourite dessert. It may also refer to taking time for yourself, visiting a favourite place, or engaging in any other enjoyable activity. Consider taking up a new activity. Whatever you choose, treating yourself to goods or activities that bring you calmness and joy will improve your mood and help you reconnect with this season in a new way.

Related: The Joy of Play: How Toys Boost Our Happy Feelings and Mind

7. Feel your sensations

Not every moment will be happy and bright whether you spend the holidays alone (or with company), and that’s fine. You may wish to avoid predicting how you will feel, but you may prepare to appreciate whatever it is. Making room for your emotions, including the unpleasant ones, might help you recover during the holidays. Perhaps spending these days alone will allow you to express yourself more freely.

8. Consider participating in a club, organization, or online community.

Respondents to the BBC research also stated that they joined a social group or pursued new social activities and hobbies to alleviate feelings of loneliness. Things to consider are:

• Volunteer with a local charity.
• Joining a yoga, dancing, or other exercise-related group
• Engaging in activities with individuals who share your interests may help you avoid feeling lonely.
• Start a pastime and interact with others who share your interests. Join online groups for games, movies, and books. Attend church.

9. Write down your ideas and feelings

Recounting pleasant moments in a notebook might help bring joy into your life. Individuals could write a gratitude letter, which outlines all the things they love about them. One could also list the things they love about others and share these things with family members and friends. Putting your ideas and feelings on paper may also help you process them and see them from a new perspective. Journaling may be a therapeutic experience.

10. Recognize how the situation makes you feel

Lonely? Frustrated? Sad? Are you feeling burned out? Depressed? These are natural and reasonable answers. Allow yourself to experience them. Understand that some days will be harder than others. If you wish to talk about these emotions, or if they become overwhelming and prevent you from functioning, contact a therapist or take an emotional fitness program online. Many therapists provide sessions remotely and are trained to assist.

Related: Burnout: Symptoms, Causes & Tips to Overcome

The Advantages of Alone Time for Mental Health

Alone time enables you to pursue your hobbies at your own speed! This is not to argue that being alone is always beneficial, or that people should shun interacting. Being sociable and spending time with people has numerous advantages, yet there are times when you need to be alone. Being alone may be highly beneficial to your mental health and allow you to pursue your interests at your own pace. Many people are afraid of being alone because they believe it implies they will be lonely. But this is not the case. Alone time allows people to explore their hobbies and interests at their own pace.

Seek Expert help

If you believe you have tried everything to avoid feeling lonely but still do, it may be time to seek more help. Some common signals that indicate that it’s time to chat with someone else are: Symptoms may include tearfulness, irritability, undereating or overeating due to loneliness, excessive sleepiness or fatigue, and a lack of motivation to care for oneself, such as brushing teeth or showering.

Loneliness can transform into demoralisation and depression Individuals having significant mood swings, frequent anxiety concerns and feelings of loneliness, affecting their functionality, should consider scheduling an appointment with a psychiatrist or therapist.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you recognize your anxiety pattern and reframe your thinking, allowing you to engage in coping practices.”In some cases, medications are warranted to treat mood and anxiety concerns, This is not always the case, however. Sometimes simply having someone to talk to without hesitation may make you feel better.