photo by Anna Jay.”Lonely This Christmas”, “All Alone On Christmas”, “It’s Gonnay A Lonely Christmas”. It’s no surprise that there are so many songs about feeling isolated during the holiday season. The pressure to have fun and make memories with friends and family is real. But as research in recent years has shown, Australia is in the grip of an epidemic of loneliness.”Feelings of isolation and loneliness can be particularly challenging during the festive season,” says Stephen Buckley, head of information for mental health charity Mind. “The expectation of happiness that comes with Christmas can also amplify any negative feelings people may already have.” AdvertisementADVERTISEMENTS So how best to help people – old or young – who we know will be isolated over the festive period? Charities, doctors and others have shared their advice to help people at risk of loneliness this Christmas, and it couldn’t be easier to make a big impact on someone’s day by doing something small.
Talk to your neighbors and/or strangers
This won’t sound revolutionary to anyone outside of big cities like London, but having a meaningful conversation with your neighbors can go a long way. According to Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, this means: “Not just saying ‘hello’ or waving to your neighbour, but actually saying ‘how are you, how are things?’ Chat a little. Check people out in a more than trivial way.” This can easily be done as you go about your day, as the Campaign to End Loneliness points out: “You could be shopping in the supermarket, in the pub or out for a walk.” You can even spark a conversation by knocking on their door and handing them a Christmas card.
Answer the phone
Charities say you can ease the loneliness of a friend or family member by calling them: a ten-minute phone call can make a big difference. “Simply calling or visiting older family members or friends to let them know you’re thinking of them can make a huge difference to their lives,” said Paul Goulden, chief executive of Age UK London.AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
On an aerial visit
If you already have a million and one Christmas commitments, you don’t need to block out hours to see someone you’re worried about. In addition to picking up the phone, Goulden also recommends that you “take meals to them or offer to help with Christmas shopping and gift wrapping.” Likewise, you can help them take down their tree and decorations after the holidays are over. It could benefit both of you, suggests Teresa Owen, director of public health at BCUHB, a local health board in North Wales. “Checking in on someone who may be feeling lonely and isolated at this time of year will not only help them feel less alone, it will help you feel good too.”
Spare chair
If your family or group of friends will have a spare chair at the table (and the host is playing), invite someone over for Christmas dinner, suggests the Campaign to End Loneliness. The same applies if you are organizing a party or other gathering during the holidays. “Don’t forget to invite your neighbors. If there’s someone in your community who might be alone, send them an invitation. The more the merrier!” If someone does decline your invitation, don’t take it personally. “If they decline, it could be because they’re feeling too anxious about big events, so don’t be discouraged or critical of their decision,” Mindo’s Buckley said.
Tell them about local events
If you know someone doesn’t have Christmas plans, and they’ve made it known they want to change that, point them in the direction of a local community event. One pub in Wimbledon, south-west London, for example, is offering a free Christmas lunch to lonely people who would otherwise spend the holidays alone. Landlords of The Alexandra, Mick and Sarah Dore, served 62 roasts last year and are planning 100 in 2018, but said The Independent that the hardest part is ” [getting] people leave the house at all.” Schools and post offices across the UK will also be offering Christmas dinner to families and pensioners who might otherwise be isolated and miss out. A big Christmas gathering in Frome, Somerset, will be held at a school and provide food, transport, gifts and entertainment for more than 100 people struggling with loneliness and financial hardship this Christmas, post reported. Search online for similar events happening in your area and pass the information on.Want more? Get the best stories from Refinery29 Australia delivered to your inbox every week. Apply here!
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education