(The Center Square) – Christmas for many people is a time to come together with family.
But for several million Americans this year, it will be time spent alone.
A recent report found over 200,000 Nevadans will be alone this Christmas. The study also noted half of national respondents in its survey said there was a “silent epidemic” of holiday isolation. But experts recommend how to navigate potential loneliness during the holidays.
“The holidays can bring up emotions that stay suppressed throughout the season,” said Angeleena Francis, vice president of operations at A Mission for Michael, a mental health care organization that conducted the study.
“Especially as the holidays can be such a busy time of year, and then when you get to the actual celebration of the holiday, it’s oftentimes silent and quiet,” Francis told The Center Square.
Francis stressed that for a lot of people, spending the holidays alone is not a negative experience. The report found 40% of people spending the holidays alone said they were not worried about anything as the family-centric season approached. But in the same survey, 59% of people said Christmas magnifies loneliness more than any other time of the year.
The survey was conducted this month among 3,001 people across the U.S. who live alone.
The report by A Mission For Michael found that 47% of respondents said there is a stigma to spending Christmas alone.
Francis said that for people who do not feel good about spending Christmas alone, making a plan and reframing the holiday can be a massive change.
“I’m making a choice this year that I’m going to celebrate in my own way, and what does that look like for me?” said Francis. “Am I going to go to the library in the morning? Am I going to go for a walk in the afternoon? Am I going to start my own tradition, and every Christmas I’m going to bake cookies, and that will be my thing … You’re prepared to say, ‘You know, I’m really actually excited about what I’m going to do on this holiday.’ ”
A small friendly gesture can go a long way to help those alone on Christmas.
“Simple acts of kindness can build authentic connection,” said Francis. “So even something like baking your neighbors cookies builds a connection with that person. Those small connections throughout our existence really can help yourself … But it also really helps someone that might be struggling, and maybe we’re not aware that they are struggling. [It’s] having that line of communication open to know somebody does care about you and you’re seen.”
“The holidays can be whatever you make them to be,” said Francis. “But take the time to make them something that’s meaningful to you.”
