Give Yourself The Joy Of Christmas

Christmas is usually viewed as a joyous time of love and giving with loved ones and friends, but some of us may not be so fortunate. If you are spending this holiday season alone, here are some ways for you to still experience the joy of Christmas.

- Lim Teck Choon

No one wants to spend the holidays alone, but it can happen to some of us. Maybe we live alone, far from our loved ones, or we are just not in the mood to mingle with other people. Some people are naturally introverted or suffer from social anxiety, and prefer to be alone during the holidays. No matter what the reasons are, many of us may feel more acute loneliness than usual during this time.

Some studies in the US found that there is usually a higher spike in depression during the Christmas season, with a resulting rise in suicides as well as attempted suicides. Among the attributed causes are the association of Christmas with spending (which triggers depression among those who are financially strapped) and loved ones (which can affect people who have lost loved ones). If you are spending this holiday season alone, it’s okay. This may seem like a cliché, but you have the right to be alone, so don’t let anyone judge you for your decision or circumstance. What matters most is that you can still celebrate the holidays no matter how alone you feel you are.

#1 Be a volunteer

Many charitable bodies need volunteers during the holiday season, so it’s a good time to sign up at the nearest soup kitchen, orphanage, hospice and such. Volunteering is a good way to meet people, and helping the less fortunate can make you feel good about yourself and boost your self-esteem. Helping the less fortunate will also help you realize that you are not as unfortunate as you think you are, therefore improving your outlook and making you look forward to 2018.