How to be alone NOT LONELY

Connecting to others has never been more important for your health

49% That's the rise in loneliness we've had - as a nation - in the last 10 years. The number of lonely over-50s is set to reach two million by 2026*.

If you have a busy family life and a thriving social circle, it's likely that any time spent alone is much-needed bliss. But, for millions of people in the UK who experience loneliness - and it's not just the elderly who are affected - solitude is a frequent source of misery that can be crippling, especially at this time of year.

Whether you've lost your partner, recently gone through a divorce or maybe your children have their own plans this year, spending Christmas on your own - even if it's just for the day can be hard, particularly when all the TV adverts and movies are centred around people being together. What's more, a lack of social connection can be bad for our health.

Feeling lonely? Here's how to harness the power of me time.

Make the first move

Don't wait for others to find you - reach out. 'There are several ways to connect with people you have similar interests with,' says therapist Denise lordache. Make a list of things you enjoy and see how many can be done in a group. For example, if you love to run (or walk!), join your local parkrun group at parkrun.org.uk or look for volunteer opportunities at getvolunteering.co.uk.

Avoid triggers