Many people won’t be used to spending long periods on our own or having social interactions restricted, especially at Christmas time. These changes can lead to feelings of loneliness if you are unprepared for it.
This festive season, it’s important to know if you are unable to see the people you want, you’re not on your own! If you're feeling overwhelmed or sad about your Christmas rearrangements this year, why not try some of these ideas a go to help distract yourself or connect with others in a new, inventive way?
Create & share a Christmas playlist
Christmas parties and get-togethers may have been cancelled this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dance around like no one is watching! Create a playlist of yours and your friends' favourite songs (Christmas tunes, encouraged!) and share it with them when you are done. You can play it while you’re at home to put a smile on your face or even video call each other and enjoy a good sing-song on the phone!
Pick up the phone
Do you remember the days where our phones were exactly that, a phone! Nowadays, it’s easy to forget that the devices we use to manage our daily lives still dial out to other people! Although texting and Whatsapping is a quick and convenient way to keep in contact, nothing beats a good ol’ natter on the phone! Call your besties for a Christmas catch up, check-in on your Grandparents and make sure their card or gift arrived safely in the post and ensure your mum is doing okay. They may be feeling the effects of the season just as much as you.
Make & send handmade Christmas cards
If you’re staying at home and find you have more time on your hands this year, why not have a go at making your own Christmas cards? They will have a more personal touch, and the person receiving it will treasure the thought.
Host a virtual cook-a-long
Do you fancy yourself as the next Nigella? Or perhaps you could give Jamie Oliver a run for his money when it comes to festive baking and cooking? Whatever your level of skills, one way to interact with people is to arrange a festive cook-a-long. All you need to do is decide on the meal you’re going to make, get in your ingredients and video call one another! It may not quite feel the same as sitting down to dinner with eachother, but you can still enjoy making memories and of course, comparing whose dish looks the best!
Get to know your neighbours
If you live in a populated area, the chances are you will have neighbours that you may not know so why not reach out and get talking to the people you live by? Try starting a conversation from the garden to garden, or how about window to window? Small talk has a bad rap, but there is certainly an upside in getting to know people who are close by and in the same boat as you. If you don’t see them regularly, how about posting a Christmas card through their letterbox to wish them good tidings?
Book one to one time with friends & family
The festive season is always chock-a-block with activities, even when they’re virtual or socially distanced! So, while Zoom group calls can be fun and uplifting, don’t forget to reach out to your friends and family on a one-to-one basis too. It could be a quick coffee call at lunchtime or a gossip with a glass of wine in the evening, remember they may be feeling the same as you and reaching out could make their day!
Feeling lonely tips on how to stay connected
Many people won’t be used to spending long periods on our own or having social interactions restricted, especially at Christmas time. These changes can lead to feelings of loneliness if you are unprepared for it.
This festive season, it’s important to know if you are unable to see the people you want, you’re not on your own! If you're feeling overwhelmed or sad about your Christmas rearrangements this year, why not try some of these ideas a go to help distract yourself or connect with others in a new, inventive way?
Create & share a Christmas playlist
Christmas parties and get-togethers may have been cancelled this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dance around like no one is watching! Create a playlist of yours and your friends' favourite songs (Christmas tunes, encouraged!) and share it with them when you are done. You can play it while you’re at home to put a smile on your face or even video call each other and enjoy a good sing-song on the phone!
Pick up the phone
Do you remember the days where our phones were exactly that, a phone! Nowadays, it’s easy to forget that the devices we use to manage our daily lives still dial out to other people! Although texting and Whatsapping is a quick and convenient way to keep in contact, nothing beats a good ol’ natter on the phone! Call your besties for a Christmas catch up, check-in on your Grandparents and make sure their card or gift arrived safely in the post and ensure your mum is doing okay. They may be feeling the effects of the season just as much as you.
Make & send handmade Christmas cards
If you’re staying at home and find you have more time on your hands this year, why not have a go at making your own Christmas cards? They will have a more personal touch, and the person receiving it will treasure the thought.
Host a virtual cook-a-long
Do you fancy yourself as the next Nigella? Or perhaps you could give Jamie Oliver a run for his money when it comes to festive baking and cooking? Whatever your level of skills, one way to interact with people is to arrange a festive cook-a-long. All you need to do is decide on the meal you’re going to make, get in your ingredients and video call one another! It may not quite feel the same as sitting down to dinner with eachother, but you can still enjoy making memories and of course, comparing whose dish looks the best!
Get to know your neighbours
If you live in a populated area, the chances are you will have neighbours that you may not know so why not reach out and get talking to the people you live by? Try starting a conversation from the garden to garden, or how about window to window? Small talk has a bad rap, but there is certainly an upside in getting to know people who are close by and in the same boat as you. If you don’t see them regularly, how about posting a Christmas card through their letterbox to wish them good tidings?
Book one to one time with friends & family
The festive season is always chock-a-block with activities, even when they’re virtual or socially distanced! So, while Zoom group calls can be fun and uplifting, don’t forget to reach out to your friends and family on a one-to-one basis too. It could be a quick coffee call at lunchtime or a gossip with a glass of wine in the evening, remember they may be feeling the same as you and reaching out could make their day!
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