Is holiday loneliness making your season feel less than spirited? Fortunately, there are many ways to keep the holiday blues at bay. Getting involved during the holidays is one of the best ways to beat the blues and give a boost to your holiday spirit. Check out these tips on ways to get involved and stay social during the season.
Get Creative
Crafty holiday activities for seniors don’t just bring the fun; they can also help you get involved while interacting with others. Try some of these ideas to lessen your holiday blues.
- Inspire your creative side with wreath-making or painting with friends
- Make decorations and ornaments
- Bake and decorate holiday cookies with grandchildren
- Try out new holiday recipes before friends and family arrive
- Journal about all the things you’re grateful for this season
- Write a seasonal tale with your grandchildren as the main characters (this would also make a great gift!)
Be a Host or Hostess
Holiday-themed parties, clubs and get-togethers are some of the best ways to connect with friends and family during the season. Get inspired with these ideas.
- Start a seasonal book club
- Host a cookie or ornament swap
- Start a weekly holiday movie night
- Host a holiday cocktail hour
- Make plans to have a celebration with family
Join a Social Group
There are many opportunities to get social during the holidays, but joining a social group can be a great way to jump-start the creation of your social circle for years to come. Try choosing a group that interests you so you can befriend other older adults with similar interests.
- Join a holiday choir or a Christmas caroling group
- Try out a bell group for a holiday performance
- Begin attending a woodworking class that makes gifts for area children
Stay In Touch
Keeping in contact with those you love can help prevent feelings of loneliness during the holidays. If you begin to feel isolated, try some of these ideas to add a little seasonal cheer. You never know – one of these options could become a new holiday tradition!
- Call friends you haven’t seen in awhile
- Video chat with family members
- Send greeting cards to those you love
- Write letters to out-of-town family
- Make an effort to visit those you love, or ask them to come to you
Give Back to the Community
Do you know an adult in your life who needs some extra support? Do you have a passion for helping animals and pets? Do you want to lessen someone else’s holiday stress? Giving back can be a great way to do just that while also giving yourself a motivational boost. Here are some ways that older adults can help other seniors or those going through tough times.
- Make meals for those in a homeless shelter
- Donate gifts to a family in need
- Spend time serving others in a soup kitchen
- Have a food drive or a coat drive
- Send packages overseas to soldiers
- Pack up pet presents for area furry friends in animal shelters
- Donate and decorate a Christmas tree for a fellow older adult who doesn’t have family nearby to help
- Knit hats, gloves, scarves and other cold-weather items to be donated to those in need
Discover the gift of Waterstone at Wellesley and say goodbye to holidays full of bah humbugs.
Seniors who live alone often deal with increased holiday depression and feel lonely during the holidays. This is because it can be harder for seniors to maintain connections, especially if no friends or family are nearby. However, if you’re lucky enough to live in a senior living community like Waterstone at Wellesley, you know all the fun things there are to do that make combating loneliness easy.
With engaging programs and events, life enrichment opportunities, social groups, maintenance-free living and more, the holidays can become merry and bright again.
If you are looking to reduce loneliness for either yourself or a loved one, contact the team at Waterstone at Wellesley. We can help with additional advice on how to get involved while sharing how you can make this season more joyful with a move.
WATERSTONE AT WELLESLEY. NOW THIS IS HOME.
Waterstone at Wellesley offers independent living and assisted living options in Wellesley along the banks of the Charles River. Schedule a visit today to experience our lifestyle and learn how we help seniors thrive.