Adopt a lonely person on Christmas day
With Christmas fast approaching it’s an excellent time to embrace the real spirit of the season and consider adopting a lonely person on the day.
It’s ironic that in an era that boasts the mobile phone, social media and the largest population the world has ever supported (7.7 billion) loneliness is more prevalent than ever. A survey by the Australian Psychology Society last year found that one in four Aussies felt lonely and that one in five rarely feel close to people and believe they have no one they can talk to.
Loneliness increases the risk of developing anxiety and depression, as well as poorer health generally, so there are real consequences here. But it’s a problem with a solution as simple as walking up to someone and saying, “Hello, how are you?” Really, that one act can make a world of difference to someone living in isolation. Because it’s a way of saying “I care”, albeit in small talk. Never underestimate the power of small talk.
Add in a slice of leg ham, a bonbon and some silly paper hats and we’re talking some powerful anti-loneliness ju-ju here.
If you’re worried about inviting a stranger to your Christmas, don’t be. Look around at your social circle, or at the surrounding community, and you’ll almost certainly find you’re already acquainted with a lonely person. It could be an elderly neighbour who’s recently lost their spouse, a person who’s only recently arrived in the country or a work colleague going through a family break up. Perhaps you know someone who finds it difficult to get out of the house, due to a physical or mental disability. It could even be a relative who you’ve been meaning to catch up with and who you haven’t seen for ages. Set your mind to it and lonely people aren’t difficult to find.
There are social media options, if you prefer that route, but most require a commitment beyond just Christmas dinner. As a counter to loneliness – both your own and someone else’s – they’re extremely worthwhile pursuits, practically guaranteeing some of those warm and fuzzy feelings, as well as being just plain good fun.
Meetup (meetup.com) matches you with potential friends with the same interests. The Welcome Dinner Project (welcomedinnerproject.org) helps you host a meal for someone new to the country. It doesn’t have to be Christmas dinner but it would be a magical place to start for anyone from the northern hemisphere. And the government has the Community Visitors Scheme (agedcare.health.gov.au/support-services/community-visitors-scheme-cvs) which organises people to visit residents in nursing homes, many of whom would receive no visitors at all otherwise. Quite a few nursing home residents are still spry enough to get out for a few hours, easily long enough to accommodate a Christmas meal in a real home setting.
Think of it – one less lonely person on Christmas day. Truly that’s bringing joy to the world.