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5 Tips to Surviving the Holidays or Anytime Alone

Guest post by: SarahBeth White

Article Overview: Many things cause lonely feelings during the holidays making it such an extremely difficult time for many to get through. You may be too far away to see your relatives; you may be in a nursing home with no one to care about you; you may be dead broke during this “happy” time; many grieve the loss of a loved one, accentuated by their disappearance during a time when others are preparing for big family gatherings, although those events can even make you feel lonely. When so many of our people are deployed and families are separated, unless the one left behind has family to shelter them from the throes of loneliness, it can be depressing. Just as there are many ways for someone to feel alone during the holiday season, there are many activities that need you and will help you feel better as you brighten the day for someone less fortunate

5 Tips to Surviving the Holidays or Anytime Alone

Many ways create situations for you to become lonely or alone during the holidays which is such a difficult time for many to get through. You may be too far away to make the trip to see your relatives; you may be stuck in a nursing home with no one to care about you; you may be dead broke during this "happy" time; many are grieving the loss of a loved one which is accentuated by their disappearance during a time when others are happy, frolicking, shopping, baking and all that people do in preparation for a big family gathering, although those events can still leave you feeling alone if you are in attendance. These days when so many of our people are deployed, families are separated and unless the one left behind has an extended family and caring friends to shelter them from the throes of loneliness, it can be a difficult and sad time.

Just as there are many ways for someone to feel alone or lonely during the holiday season and at other times, there are ways you could participate in areas which badly need volunteers. It will not only lift your spirits but will go a long way to make this time brighter for others even more lonely than you.

Volunteer your time at the Salvation Army soup kitchen or for meals served elsewhere for the elderly, homeless and hurting. Volunteer at a nursing home by sitting and visiting; keep company with an elderly person who was not expecting anyone to be there for them. Our town has a huge Veteran's Administration system that is right up the road from my house. Any time you can find to be with someone who may have lost everything while serving our country, will be greatly appreciated as you show your gratitude for what they gave up for our country.

Also, it has been proven that having a pet around can improve certain health problems. Many cities have foster programs for animals in shelters that are underfunded and understaffed. You can open your heart and your home to an animal who may be on "death row". Who knows? Maybe you will decide to keep the pet you are fostering. But please first consider your welfare and then that of the animal. In our city, the humane shelter will provide a vet visit if the animal is a stray to insure you are fostering a healthy animal. Here in our city, the shelter will provide food and transportation to the vet if necessary while fostering.

Meanwhile attend a church or the church services you have been avoiding at your home church. They know you are hurting. They know you need someone to lift you up. Go to special music services or the children's presentations. They always bring joy. No matter how prepared the choir director is, and no matter how well behaved the children have been in practice, you NEVER know what to expect from those precious little ones during a children's musical except that it will bring you joy.

In a large college town like we live in, it attracts students from all around the world. It is not feasible for the international students to go home during the holiday break or in between semesters. Invite them to a meal at your home. Even if you do not speak their language and even though they know little English, none of that matters around a table full of food and smiling faces. And you will be amazed at how much food a tiny Japanese girl can consume! They will want to contribute something to the meal and may only be able to bring a big bowl of rice but to see the joy in their eyes when you place it on the table is priceless.

Go a step further and adopt a family. Many families are struggling worse than ever with the economic downturn. You may have money and no family and they have family and no money. Invite them to share a meal or prepare one to take to their home. If there are children involved, maybe you could even afford to purchase an inexpensive gift for them. This can be a great way to "re-gift" without getting caught at it. You can clean out that gift closet giving items that mean little to you but that would bring such joy to someone who was expecting nothing at all.

Finally, my life is happier and more fulfilled because of the times I get to spend with my son; the times I go hiking with my dog, Mo; and the time to spend with my close friends and family. Time = Freedom.

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Article Tags: depression, family, holidays, sadness, volunteerism
Referred by: http://jaykubassek.com



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