Christmas, NYE and holidays

Why Christmas can be the loneliest time of the year

As we at Leora Healthcare, begin to move into skeletal teams and end of year time, we reflect on many things, especially what an incredible year we have had of growth and transformation.

We are extremely blessed to be in work and a business that focuses on social, engagement and community.

Everywhere the lights are up, the shopping centres are full, and everyone is counting down until the Christmas break begins. 

I know many of us, me included, are excited about Christmas. A chance to get together with family and friends, eat delicious food, and catch up on the year we’ve had. 

But among the excitement, we often forget about those who may find this season deeply isolating. Christmas, for many, can be the loneliest time of the year.

Loneliness in Australia 

I recently read this report ‘Why we feel lonely’ from Ending Loneliness Together, a national network of organisations working to address the emerging problem of chronic loneliness in Australia. 

Their report highlighted that 1 in 4 Australians experience persistent loneliness. Their experiences weren’t resolved within 8 weeks when they were surveyed again.

Some interesting results include:

• 41.1% of young people aged 18–24 feel persistent loneliness 
• People who have a disability, developmental or health condition are more at risk of experiencing persistent loneliness.
• 36.3% of retired people feel persistent loneliness
• People who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse are more likely to experience persistent loneliness.
• 35.5% of people living alone feel persistent loneliness 
• People whose financial needs are poorly met are nearly 7 times more likely to be persistently lonely.

What this tells me is that loneliness isn’t something that only one type of person can experience. Almost everyone can feel lonely at certain points in our lives. 

Why Christmas is a lonely time 

For people who are already experiencing loneliness, Christmas can be particularly triggering. There are high social expectations in the holiday season. But for a variety of reasons, it’s not always easy to see family or friends. And for those who don’t have close connections, this can intensify those feelings of loneliness. 

For people with physical limitation, mobility issues or health conditions, it can prevent participation in festive activities. 

For people who have experienced a loss, it can exacerbate feelings of grief.

For people living in aged or disability care, they might feel even more isolated than usual because family are busy or overseas.

For people who feel ashamed of their loneliness, it might prevent them from seeking support. Nearly 1 in 2 Australians who feel lonely are too embarrassed to admit it to others.

What can we do? 

Loneliness is a shared responsibility. Simple acts of kindness can make a profound difference:

• Reach Out: Call or visit a neighbour, friend, or relative who might be feeling isolated. Small gestures like a conversation or sharing a meal can be deeply meaningful.
• Offer Support: If you know someone facing challenges, offer practical help or companionship.
• Seek Help: If you’re feeling lonely, reach out to someone you trust or contact helplines like Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) or Lifeline (13 11 14). You could also visit Beyond Blue’s Wellbeing Action Tool where you create a wellbeing plan to help get you through the holidays. 

At its heart, Christmas isn’t about decorations or gifts. It’s about the connections we nurture. Like a string of Christmas lights, every small connection we create adds to a brighter, warmer collective glow.

This year, let’s attempt to bring light into the lives of those who need it most. Together, we can ensure everyone feels a sense of belonging and joy this festive season.

Merry Christmas, and may your holidays be filled with light and love.