The holiday season is in full swing; homes are decorated, families are visiting, and people are inviting friends over for dinner. However, while most people may be having a great time, many seniors find it hard to stay positive and combat loneliness during the holidays and feel lonely. A person does not always have to be alone to feel lonely; even when surrounded by family members and friends, they can still miss rewarding social contact and feel detached.
Why Seniors May Feel Lonely During the Holiday Season
Loneliness is a very personal feeling; different people experience loneliness differently and for different reasons. Seniors may feel lonely following life events such as:
- Losing a spouse
- Retiring and losing the social contact they had with colleagues
- Living far from family members and friends
- Inability to participate in some holiday activities due to mobility or health issues
How Seniors Can Stay Positive and Happy During the Holidays
Being mindful of one's emotions and meaningfully addressing them is the key to combat loneliness. Here are ways seniors in Chino Hills can mindfully deal with loneliness during the holiday season to stay cheerful and enjoy the festivities.
Acknowledging and Accepting Their Feelings
Seniors should not repress their feelings. Instead, they should acknowledge and accept them. Being aware of their emotions can help seniors deal with them. Feeling lonely can be a signal for one to take action; for example, it can be a wake-up call for a senior to start cultivating meaningful relationships with others.
Understanding Their Emotions
Next, seniors should try to understand what they are feeling. What triggered the feelings of loneliness? Are they missing someone? Were they reacting to something someone said or did? Sometimes, they may be just overwhelmed by hosting visiting family members and friends.
After determining whatever is causing them to feel lonely, they can now deeply explore what happened and see if it was a one-off thing or if there is an emerging pattern. The goal here is not to try to control their emotions—they cannot be switched on and off willfully—but simply observe them mindfully.
Practicing Self-Acceptance
To combat loneliness is not easy and takes time. Seniors should be kind and patient with themselves. It's perfectly normal to feel lonely sometimes; nothing is wrong with them for feeling that way. Self-acceptance is an important step to mindfully dealing with loneliness.
Reminiscing Positively
Holidays can bring up memories of departed loved ones and holiday traditions and activities seniors can no longer participate in. These can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and drum up bad feelings. However, seniors can reminisce positively by remembering their favorite things about loved ones and friends. For example, they can go through old pictures and sing old songs while reflecting on what has changed and appreciating what has not. Being thankful for the good things in their lives, however big or small, can also go a long way in helping seniors undo the negativity accompanying loneliness.
Seniors can also try the following activities to keep their minds engaged during the holidays:
- Jogging
- Going for a walk
- Meditation
- Volunteering in community development programs
- Visiting family and friends
Senior Helpers of Inland Empire In-Home Companion Care Services
Seniors can use a helping hand and a companion during the holiday season. At Senior Helpers Inland Empire, we offer custom in-home senior care services, including companion care, Alzheimer's & Dementia Care, Parkinson's care, etc., to seniors in Chino, Corona, and nearby areas in San Bernardino County. Our compassionate caregivers will keep seniors company while helping them with daily tasks like meal preparation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, and many more. Contact us today to learn more.