5 Tips for Singles to Get Through the Holidays

Let's face

it, the holiday season can be a blessing and a curse. It can be a joyous time to celebrate religion and family and it can be a time of sadness and despair, thinking of friends and relatives that have passed on and thinking about relationships that have fallen into disrepair. It can also prove a difficult time for those of us that are single.

So, what can you do to survive the season?

1) Volunteer. Do anything - and you don't have to do it on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day or over Hannukah. You can volunteer any day this holiday season and still garner just as much satisfaction. Volunteering will also give you a good perspective about your life and just how great you have it compared to others.

2) Spend time with your nieces and nephews. That's right! Take off your shoes and sit on the floor with them. Play Wii Fit Hula Hoop. Color, do puzzles, play rock band, play hide and seek. Remember what the holidays are all about - family and love.

3) Visit your church, temple or mosque. When you're sad, it's a great time to reconnect with your spiritual side.

4) Join acommunity so you can honestly complain about being single/alone over the holidays. Your friends love you, but sometimes it's easier to be totally honest with strangers whom have never heard your story before. Also, it's also a little more fun to commiserate with people who "feel your pain."

5) Reach out and touch someone. Send holiday cards or reach out via email and catch up with the people you love most. This is especially important if you have neglected to foster friendships and connections while you were dating (or married to) your ex.

Finally, remember that you're not 'really' alone. Although my family lives all around the world, I know that they love me and will be thinking about me on Christmas Day. So even though I won't be able to spend the holidays with them, in my heart I know that with their love, I have all the support in the world.

Happy Holidays!