THE SOLITARY SEASON

How to stay connected this Christmas

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Many of us look forward to the Christmas holiday as one of the happiest times of the year. The sun is shining, we have a few days off work and, most importantly, we get to spend extra hours with the people we love. But, according to a study by the Red Cross, for more than 30 per cent of Australians, the silly season is simply lonely.

NOT SO FESTIVE

There are many things that might make us feel lonely during the holidays. Simply being physically alone is one of the many factors, according to Professor Michelle Lim, CEO and scientific chair of Ending Loneliness Together, Australia's national peak body aiming to address the issue of persistent loneliness. "Christmas can be a challenge for vulnerable people who are socially isolated or who are living away from their loved ones, because it's usually a time where people gather. If someone feels like they don't have a community during this time, they may feel lonelier," she says.

THE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC