Zen Tip #8 - Dealing with Holiday Loneliness & Depression

For some people, the holidays are a time to dread. Not everyone has friends and family and a place to go. The holidays can be downright depressing, if you are alone or if your family is out of town or disconnected from you in some way. It's easy to forget that some people aren't as lucky as you may be. It's easy to take your friends and family for granted and assume that they will always be there.

Sometimes things happen, such as a spouse or partner passing away, or friends or family moving out of town. Depression and loneliness can heighten during the holiday season because everywhere you turn, smiling, happy people who don’t seem to have a care in the world surround you.

If you are alone, with no place to go, the holidays can be brutal and even depressing. Empty nesters, the elderly and those who are grieving the loss of a loved one or even the loss of a relationship, are particularly vulnerable. The expectations are often very high around the holidays to smile and be happy. Many people feel a great deal of pressure to be happy and socially connected in some way. The truth is, not everyone is living like they are in a Hallmark movie, with the perfect family and the perfect life.

Loneliness and depression can be very serious, and very painful. Loneliness and depression feed on themselves, and they can be difficult to break out of. If you are depressed or lonely, one of the best things you can do is to try and help others. This may be hard to do at first, but reaching out to those who may not be as blessed as you are, can be life changing. You can do this in a number of ways, from volunteering at a homeless shelter, to helping someone shop for gifts, to even visiting a church or synagogue and volunteering for holiday projects.

There are always those who have less than you - but it's difficult to see that when you are in your own bubble. Breaking out of your bubble gives you perspective and helps you realize that you have more blessings than you first thought.

If you are reading this article, you are already blessed because you probably have a home to go to at night. If you are healthy, you are blessed because health really is a gift. Visit the children's ward in any hospital or go to your local hospice and you will quickly see how blessed you really are. If you feel lonely, that's OK, because after all you are only human. You can and should get out there and find places that need help. Veterans groups like the VFW or the Elks Club are always looking for new member and people to donate their time. By giving back, you can make a difference in someone's life. You were put here on earth for a reason - and if you are still here, you still have a purpose.

Visit a place of worship, donate your time to a homeless shelter or battered women's shelter, volunteer at an animal shelter or even adopt an animal. Animals provide endless love and companionship, and they never let you down.

It's OK to feel down or depressed or even lonely, but the truth is that you still have a lot to offer the world, and people need you more than you might realize. Reach out to those in need and your loneliness will soon fade away. If you are experiencing depression, do yourself a favor and visit your doctor and see if there is something you can do, to overcome it. People make the difference in the end, and people can help you heal.