Dealing With December Despair: Holiday Edition

The holidays are here!
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For some, this is a time spent with family and loved ones making new memories and ringing in the new year. The holiday season is one that is highly anticipated and celebrated across cultures. However, this season doesn't always shine brightly for everyone. This can be a time of year where many feel lonesome and disheartened by the holiday cheer around them. Holidays can be difficult for those who have lost loved ones or do not have cherished souls to spend this time with. The holiday season can bring harsh reminders for some and mean great despair for others.

If you are finding yourself feeling lonely and hopeless this holiday season, try these suggestions below to help yourself navigate this difficult time.
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1. Structure Your Time

Planning any free time you have can be helpful with powering through those feelings of loneliness and despair. Schedule tasks for each day to help give your mind, body and soul something productive to focus on. When we don't have anything to do, our minds can often run a muck. You know that saying "Idle time is the devil's playground." Well, that can often be true so make sure to plan activities for yourself in order to keep your mind from taking a ride on that nasty roller coaster.
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2. Find A Community Event To Attend

Being around others is a great way to fight feelings of grief and loneliness. Many communities offer all kinds of events this time of year, aimed at helping those who might be in need of some support. Church gatherings or volunteering at local food cupboards are great for lifting spirits, including those of others who are also struggling this year. Local organizations offering low cost or free events are also good options for connecting with others and boosting your mood.
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3. Keep Hope Alive

Lastly, remember to not give up hope! It can be so easy to slip into dark despair this time of year. Remind yourself that hope can be a very powerful thing! Sometimes hope is the only thing that gets us through. It is possible for things to get better. Where we are now does not necessarily reflect where we will be in the future. Tomorrow is a new day!

Here is a list of free holiday events in the Rochester area this year: http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/view/taxonomy-multilist/294%2B293%2B21%2B500%2B295%2B302/1

From me to you, a very merry holiday season!