Four Ways to Celebrate Christmas Day If You Are Forced to Self-Isolate

I have spent Christmas Day on my own a number of times over the years.  Sometimes, I hated it and felt sad, depressed and lonely.  Other years, I had a great time.  The fact that I am a Buddhist and don't celebrate Christmas doesn't seem to make a lot of difference - I still sometimes feel a desire to spend the holiday with friends and loved ones, and am haunted with the ghosts of Christmases past.  And anyway, this holiday is primarily an ancient celebration of the Winter Solstice, so I celebrate it in that context.  

 

This Christmas day, as in 2020, many people are still forced to self-isolate.  If you are one of the people self-isolating at Christmas (or any other time), missing friends, family and good cheer, check out my Coronavirus Resources for music, quizzes, relaxation, humour and more.  

 

Plus go here for an excellent article in the Guardian on four ways to make Christmas on your own more fun, relaxed and enjoyable.  Number four is by far my favourite.  

 

Follow Candace Bond-Theriault's lead and make a list of your favourite Black films, or whatever films you like. 

 

And there's this one from Oprah Daily:   How to Spend Christmas Alone and Still Make It Merry Without Family.  

 

And this excellent piece from Very Well Mind:  Here's How to Cope with holiday loneliness.

 

So there's a wealth of advice out there.  Plan, or don't.  Keep in touch, or take some time and space for yourself.  Prepare a feast for yourself if you want to.  Do what feels best to you and for you.  Place the emphasis on self-care.  The most important thing to remember is:  you are NOT alone.    

Happy holidays!  

What's your best suggestion for spending Christmas Day alone?  Please comment below and please share this with your networks.  Thanks!  

Dealing with Lockdown Loneliness

Loneliness courtesy of NYT

Many of us are having to cope with loneliness during the  coronavirus lockdown.  Not being able to meet up with friends, family members or loved ones can be challenging.  It can be even more difficult for those who are self-isolating.  Some suggestions for dealing with loneliness include: 

•  Embrace the technology!  Stay in touch using video technology, such as Skype or Zoom;  

  
  

  • Plan your day and stick to a schedule;  
   
  • Stay active.  Even a short walk every day can help; 
   
  • Read online articles (like this one) for fun and to increase your knowledge base; 
   
  • Join a Meetup film group or Facebook watch party to view films online with others;
    
   
• Avoid watching too many news programmes about Covid-19, as too much information can be confusing and increase our stress levels.
  

Below, I have listed some resources that can help us to cope with loneliness and isolation.  

 

Personally, I find that helping others is the best way to feel connected - and useful.  That's why I have posted these coronavirus resources.   

 

 What to Do If You Feel Lonely during the Coronavirus Outbreak (advice from the NHS) 

How Singles Can Fight Loneliness during Social Isolation  

How to Cope with Loneliness during the Coronavirus Pandemic 

 

Loneliness during Coronavirus;  

 

Reducing Loneliness among Migrant and Ethnic Minority People; 

Get Support from a Mental Health Charity (advice from the NHS); 

 

Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline (England only).  

Please share this with your networks and please comment below.  Thanks.  

Self-Isolation and the Loneliness Epidemic

Self-Isolation and Loneliness

I was sent this link by a friend.  Robin Rice has done a great deal of work around loneliness.  Unfortunately, I was not aware of her work until now.

Loneliness is a a killer, as Seal once said.  It threatens our mental and physical health. 

In Self-Isolation and the Loneliness Epidemic, Robin Rice explores the effects of loneliness on our health, and makes some very practical suggestions about what we can do to allay it.

In the wake of the coronavirus, many more of us will be experiencing loneliness and isolation.  These have been a big part of my life for a long time.  I used to be able to jump on a bus and go shopping, visit a museum, or see friends at the Buddhist Centre.  I could avoid confronting my loneliness.  Then, in 2015, I was diagnosed with cancer.  Suddenly, everything changed.  The cancer is gone now, thank goodness.  But my life has changed significantly.

In London, where I live, or in any big city, it can be difficult to connect with others, and to maintain those connections. 

Now, with the coronavirus, things have changed again.  I have trouble getting to the shops, even with the help of my lovely care workers.  And when I can, it's hard to find even basic foodstuffs, like bread and butter.  Plus, we are now being advised to stay indoors.  So loneliness is becoming harder for me to avoid. 

Since about a week ago, when I started taking self-isolation seriously, my friends have really come through for me, dropping by with things I need, like cat food and chocolate brownies (brownies are essential in the current crisis).

I strongly recommend you read this article:  Self-Isolation and the Loneliness Epidemic.

Plus check out my blog post:  How to look after our Mental Health during the Coronavirus Crisis.

And for holistic healing, go here to download my Violet Flame Healing process.

One way we can look after our own mental health is by helping and supporting others.  

Keep well.  I wish you all the best.

Please share this with your networks and please comment below.  If you have more suggestions about how we can look after ourselves, and each other, through this crisis, please comment below.  Thanks.