For many of us, the holidays are a highlight of the year. They give us an opportunity to connect with the people we love while enjoying tasty foods and time-honored traditions. However, the holidays aren’t a joyous occasion for everyone.
Those who don’t have loved ones to celebrate with can find the holiday season to be a very lonely one. Older adults can be especially impacted by these issues. If you’re an older adult who’s experienced holiday loneliness, you don’t have to go through it alone. Keep reading to learn what you can do to overcome it.
The holidays are a time of excess. That often means eating and drinking much more than we do throughout the rest of the year. However, studies have shown that there are significant links between a person’s physical health and their mental health.
This means that if you neglect your physical health during the holidays, your mental health could decline with it. The opposite is also true. You may be able to improve your feelings of loneliness by eating healthy foods, like lean proteins and vegetables. Similarly, even completing a short workout a few times each week could make you feel better.
In older adults, holiday depression is often caused by loss. This might mean the loss of a loved one or the loss of a favorite holiday tradition. Either way, it’s okay to spend some time remembering what you’ve lost. However, you shouldn’t let old memories take the chance to make new ones away from you.
Try to come up with some new traditions this holiday season. You can do something new with friends or family if you’re able to do so. You could also start a tradition of volunteering and meeting with other people in that way.
One of the best ways to beat your holiday depression is to get active in a new community. Consider reaching out to local centers for older adults. Most will have a wide variety of groups for you to join, including book clubs, knitting circles, and much more.
You may also want to take advantage of a service like SilverSneakers. It gives you the chance to prioritize your health while socializing with other older adults. You may even be able to get the costs of the program covered by your Medicare health insurance.
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Sometimes we feel like if we can just hang on for a little longer, the feelings will pass on their own. However, having this kind of mindset only puts us through unnecessary suffering. If you’re feeling lonely, don’t wait to get help. Doing so can make a real difference in the amount of loneliness you experience this holiday season.
The best way to get help is to reach out to a professional counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist. While these services can be costly, you may be able to cover a large majority of the price with your Medicare coverage.
If you’re unsure about your coverage, consider contacting one of Time for 65’s partnered licensed agents. They’re Medicare experts who can tell you more about your insurance. You can get in touch with one by filling out this form or giving us a call.
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