Five Tips to Surviving the Holidays Alone

Many ways create situations for you to become lonely or alone during the holidays which are such difficult times 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. Those events can still leave you feeling alone. These days when so many of our people are deployed and families are separated, unless the one left behind has an extended family to shelter them from the throes of loneliness, holidays can be a difficult, depressing time.

Just as there are countless ways for someone to feel alone or lonely during the holiday season, there are numerous ways you could take part in places that need you. Actions that will not only help you feel better but will go a long way to make the holidays brighter than some could have ever hoped for.

Volunteer your time at the Salvation Army soup kitchen or for holiday meals served elsewhere for the homeless and hurting. Volunteer at a nursing home by sitting and visiting; by keeping company with an elderly person expecting no one to be there for them. Our town has a huge Veteran's Administration system. Any time you spend with a veteran who may have lost everything while serving our country, would be greatly appreciated. Show your gratitude for what they sacrificed 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 dog or cat you are fostering. But please consider the welfare of the animal. In our city, the humane society will provide a vet visit if the animal is a stray to insure you are fostering a healthy animal. Our shelter will provide food and transportation to the vet if necessary while fostering.

Another example to lift your spirits is to attend a church or go to the church services you have been avoiding at your home church. People there already know you are hurting. They know you need someone to lift you up. Go to the Christmas music services; especially 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 during a children's musical presentation except that it will warm your heart.

Furthermore, we live in a large college town which attracts students from all around the world. It is not feasible for some international students to go home during the holiday break. Invite them to a holiday celebration. Even if you do not speak their language or even though they may be learning English, none of that matters around a table full of food and smiling faces.

During these difficult financial times, you could adopt a family. Many families are struggling worse than ever before. You may have money and no family and they have family and no money. Invite them to a holiday meal or prepare it and take it to their home. If there are children involved, maybe you could even afford to purchase an inexpensive gift for the child(ren). 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 did not expect to receive anything.

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