How to be alone NOT LONELY

Connecting to others has never been more important for your health

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49% That's the rise in loneliness we've had - as a nation - in the last 10 years. The number of lonely over-50s is set to reach two million by 2026*.

If you have a busy family life and a thriving social circle, it's likely that any time spent alone is much-needed bliss. But, for millions of people in the UK who experience loneliness - and it's not just the elderly who are affected - solitude is a frequent source of misery that can be crippling, especially at this time of year.

Whether you've lost your partner, recently gone through a divorce or maybe your children have their own plans this year, spending Christmas on your own - even if it's just for the day can be hard, particularly when all the TV adverts and movies are centred around people being together. What's more, a lack of social connection can be bad for our health.

Feeling lonely? Here's how to harness the power of me time.

Make the first move