As the song goes, “it’ll be lonely this Christmas, without you to hold”. This year of the Coronavirus brings additional terms and conditions around holding others however, it doesn’t have to be lonely.

Read on for tips to get through the festivities feeling good and enriched:

1. An obvious and important one, make your home environment comfortable and cosy. Some nice candles, comfy clothes (or PJ’s!), blankets and warmth are essential.

2. Eat your favourite food/s! With no-one else to consider, this is a great opportunity to go off-piste menu-wise if traditional Christmas food is not to your taste. Haribo’s for breakfast? Why not!

3. Buy yourself presents in advance, wrap them and put under the tree, open throughout the day.

4. Volunteer. Christmas is the time for giving after all and the glow of giving to others will stay with you for days. It can be as casual or formal as you wish, be it working at a foodbank or visiting an elderly neighbour, it will be enormously appreciated.

5. Unplug from technology for a day or two and give yourself a break from Social Media to focus on you rather than what others are doing. Comparison is the theft of happiness after all….

6. Borrow a pet and perhaps make a furry friend. Borrowmydoggy.com is a great site for owners who need babysitters for their pooch.

7. If you can leave home and budget allows, book a night in a hotel, order room service, have a bath – arguably the best mini-break a person can have!

8. Plug into nature, visit the seaside, climb a mountain, take in long walks. Reacquainting ourselves with the elements is a proven stress reliever and a perfect antidote to our tech and Zoom filled days.

9. Ask your friends and family to write you letters and cards, save them up and read throughout the day

10. Join a virtual choir and spend a therapeutic hour communing over carols.

I hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas, but if you’re worried about the festive season, whether you’re single or not, get in touch or book an appointment.