Holiday Coping Tips

I love this question, Sandy! Personally, I:

- Volunteer (including here or something a bit more simple, like 'carrying' a bag by leaving someone asong at the Emotional Baggage Check!)

- Bake or cook, for friends, strangers, or even just myself ? if it's just for myself, it's easier totry something new.

- Watch a movie I love (like "Bridesmaids") or a new one highly recommended. (I recommend thenew "Big Hero 6" for anyone who hasn't seen it! I'm currently watching "The Grand Budapest Hotel" on someone else's recommendation.)

- Play an online game ? there may even be a holiday festival in-game! (If your computer can't handle a graphics-heavy game, there are lighter browser-based options, like Kingdom of Loathing.)

- Write aletter, card or email to someone I've appreciatedbut haven't communicated with in toolong. If I'm not sure what to say, I can mainly inquire about how they are.

- Find and visit some of the few local businesses that are open on a holiday, and be a pleasant customer.

I look forward to seeing othertips!

The practical tips were spot on. Here is one emotional one: Let yourself know that it is okay to be a little sad and lonely right now. It's okay.

You know this is a temporary feeling, and you may feel better tomorrow, or meet a new great person in your life next month, but right now you feel lonely, and then you feel badly because you're lonely. It's this second feeling that is the real kick in the head. If you can be okay with being lonely, knowing that it's not forever, and that (even if none of us want it) it is going to happen to everyone sooner or later, then hopefully you'll feel a little better about it.

I share this from the perspective of someone who is ridiculously lonely this Thanksgiving. I was separated about 4 months ago (lost 20+ year confidante). I haven't seen my sons since then (lost the loves of my life). And then the new love I met (after the separation), decided, after we had shared "I love you"s with each other, that she would return to a man who had left her at the alter (lost the first woman to fall in love with me after my marriage imploded). That's a three-strike doozy, all right before a traditional family holiday. :)

So yes, I am lonely too. But, when I realized it was okay to be lonely, it was okay to feel the heartache today, it is just where I am today, and I won't be here forever (I'll eventually see my sons; I'll eventually find another partner), then it made it less painful to be lonely. Lonely is okay for a little bit. :)

And now go use those great practical tips! :)

I am fine, thanks guys. I just thought it would be a great post if anybody needs it

Holidays can be the worst! Seeing family you're not exactly fond of, enduring several interrogations about what you're doing nowadays and why you don't have a job/spouse/driver's license/PHD yet.

Whenever I need to de-stress, I find removing myself from the situation to be very helpful.

- Volunteering to go pick up something from the store (if they're open) can help. I like to get outside in the quiet and breathe in some fresh air.

- If you have a safe-haven, like your room or the basement/attic/shed, it can provide a short-term shelter to collect your thoughts.

- I personally find a lot of comfort in scents and humour. Pop in a good movie, watch some youtube, play a casual game (I love Prism 2048), put on some incenseor spray a nice smelling perfume in your room. :)

- You probably have some friends in a similar situation, pop on facebook and see if anyone is available to chat with.

- Of course, if that all fails, feel free tochat with some of us! :D

This is a great topic of discussion. Holidays don't bring up many great memories so its a difficult time for me, personally. Somehow I have managed to make friends with so many holiday lovers, especially christmas ones.

Thanks to those who have commented and given tips on how to deal with the holiday blues :)

This is a time for celebration! I know it may be really hard, but find the good things in life (even though it may be really challenging to). Look around you, seek inspiration in small things. Talk to neighbors, watch good Christmas movies, and try to have fun with people around you. Make small talk, exchange presents :)

Personally, I think it depends on the reasons whyyou feel alone during this time: is it because you can't be with your family? or maybe being with your family causes the anxious feelings to arise? Whatever the case may be, there are always options to feeling positive again!

The holiday season is all about giving, so volunteering would not only make someone's daya whole lot better, but you will also probably feel satisfied in knowing that you caused someone's happiness, however small the gesture.

You're also probably not the only one that can feel alone, reaching out on social media for things like "friendsgiving" can be a fun way to spend the holiday season!

I totally understand what some people are saying. Find pleasure in small things, practice gratitude, its a time to celebrate etc etc.

BUT if things were that simple, this site wouldn't exist and neither would therapy. I think instead of ''telling'' people to just join in the celebrations, maybe stick to sharing how you cope in the hopes of inspiring others.

Then, instead of thinking because you have done it and it worked for you, it will work for everyone remind yourself, that sometimes things aren't so simple. Also some people may have deeper reasons other than ''I just hate Christmas'', maybe some have lost someone important to them during the holidays quite recently or something traumatic happened to them and although they are making progress in coping with it all, they still dislike the holiday season.

This isn't to say we can't turn things around. It's just to say don't assume its so easy to do. Giving tips on how you cope, great, keep those coming! Reminding us of what the holiday season is all about i.e celebrations, won't magically erase the way we feel.

Again to those giving tips on how you cope as a source of inspiration, thank you :)

Coping with the holidays staying positive and preparing for next semester and planning ahead

-decorate the house with lights and candles!

-Trying out a new recipe

-Think about and buy presents for people you care about!