What You Can Do to Help a Lonely Neighbor

What You Can Do to Help a Lonely Neighbor

If your neighbor seems depressed or more isolated than usual, they may very well be suffering from loneliness. Chronic loneliness has the potential to affect anyone. The condition is the result of many things - some of them major, such as job loss or a family member moving away. Sometimes loneliness is the result of seemingly nothing at all, except to the person who is dealing with it.

Remember, even if you are good friends with your neighbor, he or she may be hesitant to reach out to you. Be that as it may, don't let that stop you from offering assistance. Here are a few things you can do to help a neighbor alleviate their loneliness. 

Get to Know Them

This is one of the most crucial things you can do to make your neighbor (or anyone) feel less isolated. Feeling less lonely isn’t just about having someone to talk to. Meaningful conversation about life or things that matter have a much greater impact on people than simply exchanging pleasantries. You can never have too many friends. So getting to know your neighbors is beneficial to everyone involved.

Have Your Neighbor Over for Dinner

A good meal is a great way to connect with people. Invite your lonely neighbor over for dinner or a summertime cookout. Go one step further and treat the individual to a meal at his or her favorite restaurant. Your neighbor is sure to appreciate the meal just as much as the companionship. If things go really well, consider getting together on a more frequent basis.

Offer to Give Them a Lift

If your neighbor doesn’t have access to a vehicle, chances are they may find themselves stuck at home with no way to get out and socialize. Offer to give them a ride every now and then, when they need it. Not only will this give you a chance to help them get to where they need to go, the one-on-one time will also afford you a chance to get to know each other better... if your aren't good friends already. 

Go to Your Neighbor for Advice

It feels good to help people out and to give them advice when they need it. Your neighbor will also appreciate an opportunity to lend a hand. Go to this person and ask for help with an issue you’re having. Obviously it doesn’t have to be anything major or personal - just something that they can weigh in on and offer advice. 

Help Out If They Need It

If you see that your neighbor is having a hard time with something, such as carrying in their groceries or taking garbage out, offer to give them a hand. Even if it’s just a small task, getting assistance with something will almost certainly help them to feel less like they’re alone. 

Keep Your Neighbor in Mind during the Holiday Season

Receiving a holiday card or small gift from someone unexpected is always a pleasant surprise. Make a habit of leaving your neighbor a card or small gift during the holiday season. They may even get enjoyment from sending you a gift in return.

Overall, the best thing that you can do to help out a lonely neighbor is to be a friend. Just remember not to overdo it. If your neighbor is shy or anxious about meeting new people, you might make things worse by insisting on building a friendship with them. 

Take things slow, get to know them and build a relationship with them just like you would any other friend. Your friendship could mean the difference between them feeling alone and feeling like they have someone that they can turn to whenever they start feeling isolated. 

What to Do When Your Child Feels Lonely

What to Do When Your Child Feels Lonely

Loneliness can have an adverse effect on anyone. Children are certainly no exception. In fact, loneliness is a common issue among kids. It is typically brought on by a number of factors. 

Problems at school can often lead to loneliness. Events such as encountering a bully or dealing with a close friend moving away can quickly bring on feelings of social isolation. Outside of school, lack of self-confidence or a major change at home (such as divorce) can also lead to chronic feelings of loneliness. 

Obviously, it doesn’t feel good to be lonely. Long-term loneliness can have a pronounced effect on a child's physical and mental health, as well as his or her social life. Prolonged periods of loneliness can lead to digestive problems and trouble sleeping. 

Being lonely isn’t healthy for anybody. But, it can sometimes be more detrimental to a child. Why? The answer is a simple one. Loneliness has a serious impact on a child’s success in school, which can take years of recovery to correct. 

In addition, many children don't understand why they are lonely. Young children may go so far as to think something is wrong with them. Unfortunately, this can lead to even more complex issues, which are even more difficult to get under control.

Here are a few things you can do when children feel lonely. Depending on the severity of their loneliness, it may be easier to cheer them up than you think.

Keep Them Busy

Keep your child busy with a hobby or their favorite activity. This generally combats loneliness, at least for as long as they remain occupied. If hobbies are not an option, consider taking them to the park or local activity center. Participating in sports or joining a club at school are two more options. Who knows? They may even end up making new friends in the process.

Encourage Children to Open Up

It can be difficult for kids who are shy to make friends. This can ultimately leave them with few people to talk to. Encourage your child to meet new people and to be open about themselves to their friends... just not too open (to be safe, be sure to set limits). This is the first step toward kids feeling more confident and outgoing in the future.

Spend Quality Time Together

Not being able to spend enough time with parents is a major cause of loneliness in children. If your schedule is keeping you from interacting with your child, make sure you set aside at least 60 minutes a day to talk to them about the things going on in their lives. Please note, this amount of time is the bare minimum. Spending time together goes a long way toward making kids feel less isolated.

Build Up Your Child's Confidence 

A lack of self-confidence can lead to serious feelings of loneliness. It's easy to let children know they are capable and talented, simply by praising their good work and accomplishments. If a child doesn't succeed at something, encourage that child in regard to the positive aspects of what they’ve done rather than focusing on what may have gone wrong.

Remember, being lonely can cause feelings of anxiety, depression and poor self-image. Children affected by loneliness have been known to exhibit hostile, antisocial, or self-destructive behavior. They also tend to experience a negative impact on their memory and learning abilities. 

You can help your child manage loneliness, even when he or she may not realize what they are feeling. It’s important to keep an eye out for signs that your child may be lonely. Kids may not always come to their parents when they need a little help.

Ways to Combat Loneliness after Moving to a New Community

Ways to Combat Loneliness after Moving to a New Community

Moving to a new neighborhood is typically a stressful experience for anyone. A new town means the excitement of new people and places. But, let's face it, it takes time to become familiar with both. 

That being said, when you’re new to the community, you're likely to find yourself spending a lot of time (at home) alone. It just makes sense. However, falling into this habit for too long has the potential to lead to feelings of loneliness, depression and even anxiety. So, what’s the best cure for loneliness after a move? Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Keep in Touch

Moving to a new place doesn’t mean you have to sever ties with any of your friends. In fact, staying connected to the people you associated with in your old neighborhood means you'll have someone to talk to while you find new social circles. 

If your previous residence is close enough, invite your old friends to hang out in your new neighborhood. Not only will it help you break the ice, so to speak, it's also a great way to make new memories with those you hold dear.

In the event your friends and family don't live close enough to pay you a face-to-face visit, there's a simple solution. Keep in contact via Skype or similar platform. Think of it as the next best thing to being there!

Go Out Every Day

Unfortunately, it's very easy to get accustomed to not going out, especially if you aren’t familiar with the area. Whatever it takes, find an excuse to get out and about every day. For example, a great activity to involve yourself in when getting to know a new community, is walking. Walking or jogging gives you a chance to exercise, learn the layout of your neighborhood and maybe even start up conversations with people who might be passing by. 

Fill Up Free Time

Having too much time on your hands can easily cause you to dwell on your feelings of loneliness. If you suddenly find yourself with nothing to do, make some changes. Picking up a hobby (like gardening or collecting) is a good way to fill in time gaps. Research public events in the area that interests you. If all else fails, spend some time at the park, the library or another relaxing environment. 

Establish a Routine

Work the things that you need to do each day into a routine. A consistent routine helps you feel balanced and in control. This is especially true when life gets stressful. Incorporating structure into your day means you’ll feel a lower level of anxiety and spend less time worrying about how things are going to get done. When this happens, it affords you more time to get acquainted with your new home.

Get to Know the Neighbors

When you move into a new home, it’s the perfect time to get to know the people who live near you. You have both your move and your new neighborhood to use as conversation starters. If things go well, you may find neighbors who are more than willing to show you around town. At that point, if you hit it off, why not invite them over to see your new digs?

These are just a few things to do to stave off loneliness after your move. However, if you still find yourself feeling lonely, it’s important not to be overly hard on yourself. Getting used to a new home, job and social life all at once is bound to be stressful for anyone. Don’t be mad at yourself if you end up feeling overwhelmed. Remember, it happens to everybody at some point in their lives. It's simply part of being human.

Tips to Make New Friends

Tips to Make New Friends

Regardless of your age or place in life, it's still important to make new friends. Obviously, you don't have to make the attempt every day. But, it's something to be open to whenever the opportunity presents itself. Remember, no matter what anyone tells you, you can never have too many friends.

Some people make friends very easily. They don't even really have to try; it just comes naturally. Other people find it extremely difficult. Whether they're shy, embarrassed, or just don't know how to go about it, making new friends is a chore.

If you fall into the second category, there's no reason to panic. Read the following tips. They're aimed at helping you make new friends without getting stressed in the process.

Start with People You Know

If the thought of meeting new people completely intimidates you, why not start out with people you know? Try reaching out to old school friends or co-workers. The internet makes it so easy to do these days. Hundreds of people reconnect every week with the help of platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

In the event you typically refuse invitations from friends, you may want to consider changing your strategy. You never know who might show up at their event. It might even be your new bestie! If you truly want to make more friends, you need to step out of your comfort zone and introduce yourself every chance you get.

As silly as it may sound, you can always ask your friends to introduce you to their friends. After all, if you're comfortable with the friends you already have now, you'll probably feel comfortable with the people they hang around with too.

Be Yourself

Nobody wants to associate with a fake friend. That's why it's so important to never change yourself when making new friends. This way, any potential new friends will get to know you for who you really are. They'll use what they learn to decide whether or not they want to take friendship with you to the next level.

Make an Effort to Really Get to Know Someone

Once you've been introduced to someone who you think is worth getting to know, take the initiative to find out all that you can about that person. True friends take the time to get to know each other, even if it's at a gradual pace. You can ask questions like:

* What are your hobbies?

* What do you value the most? 

* What are your goals?

* What type of work to you to?

* What motivates you?

In addition, take the time to ask the person about his or her family. It's an easy subject that everyone wants to talk about, even with someone they're just getting to know.

Never Judge Someone

As unfortunate as it is, many people automatically and mistakenly judge someone right out of the gate. This is usually due to one of several reasons. Maybe it's because they come from a different background. Or it might be because of rumors that have surfaced about the potential friend in question.

Whatever the case, treat a person with the same level of respect that you expect them to give to you. Without respect, a new friendship doesn't stand much of a chance.

These are just a few tips to consider when attempting to make a new friend. Even if you're slightly introverted, you can still make lifelong friends quite easily. Just remember to be yourself and let all of your genuine kindness and great personality shine through. You can do it!

The Effects of Social Media on Loneliness

The Effects of Social Media on Loneliness


Social media has completely changed the way that people communicate with each other. Getting in touch (and keeping in touch) is easier than ever thanks to sites like Facebook and Twitter.

With contact with other people so easy to achieve, it seems like loneliness would be much less of an issue, doesn't it? However, some studies indicate that's just not the case. Excessive social media participation can actually cause feelings of loneliness to build. Here are a few of the positive and negative effects of social media in our lives.

The Good

Not so long ago, we had to reach out to our friends over the phone to catch up with them. Today, reading the latest news from your friends and family is as easy as scrolling through your social media feed.

Chances are, more than a few of your friends post updates about their lives, from major occurrences to weekend and summer activities. The steady stream of updates is meant to make you feel more connected and keeps you from feeling lonely.

But, the quick source of social updates isn’t the only benefit. Social networks also give you a place to reach out to others when you feel like you need someone to talk to. We tend to add people to our “friends” list who we actually know in real life. This means that if you post an update about needing someone to talk to, it’s likely that your friends will see this and respond. By reaching out through social media, you may find someone you can confide in that you wouldn’t otherwise think to ask for help.

The Bad

Research shows that using social media could be linked to feelings of unhappiness and loneliness. Ethan Kross, a psychologist from the University of Michigan, lead a study of the effects of Facebook on the moods of the residents of Ann Arbor.

Participants were asked five times per day how they were feeling in terms of happiness, loneliness or depression. The results show that the more each person used Facebook in between being interviewed, the more they indicated they were feeling unhappy.

What causes these feelings of unhappiness? While researchers aren’t entirely sure, it may be due to the lack of depth that these online relationships provide. People often want to create a certain image of themselves on their social media profile and may want to draw attention to the good while not mentioning the bad. This lack of total sincerity could prevent your online relationships from fulfilling your social needs in the same way that a face-to-face conversation can.

Another way that the use of social media correlates with the level of loneliness someone feels has to do with material goods and opportunities. For example, many people who don't have much money get depressed and feel more isolated when they look at their friends' feeds.

These friends could be posting pictures about their latest vacation or purchase of some sort. If a lonely person never hears from the person who just posted the pictures, they might easily feel an even greater level of loneliness and misfortune.

The best way to avoid some of the pitfalls of social media is to not let it rule your life. Try to get out of the house and meet people face-to-face. It remains one of the best ways to eliminate the feelings of loneliness in your life.

The Difference between Loneliness and Being Alone

The Difference between Loneliness and Being Alone

Many people are under the impression that being alone goes hand in hand with being lonely. However, while solitude does sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness, this isn’t always the case. 

In fact, some people feel less impact from being alone than others. This group of individuals prefer being by themselves and don’t feel lonely in the least... even after an extended period of solitude. That being said, what's the real difference between feeling lonely and being alone? Keep reading to find out.

What Is Loneliness?

Loneliness is an unpleasant feeling of isolation, disconnectedness or abandonment. Feelings of loneliness have been linked to depression, loss of sleep, an increased risk of stroke and high blood pressure. Sounds quite scary, doesn't it?

Loneliness is a complex emotional response which affects people in many different ways. We feel loneliness when we can’t communicate or connect with other people. This means that you don’t necessarily have to be alone to feel lonely, especially if you’re surrounded by people that you don’t feel comfortable communicating with. 

Humans as a species are very social and many of us feel a need for contact on some level. It’s very common for a person to feel lonely at one point or another during their lifetime. Events such as a breakup or the loss of a loved one can lead to temporary feelings of loneliness. These feelings typically fade as time goes by. 

On the other hand, when it comes to cases of being chronically lonely, the dreadful feeling is brought on by the person rather than the environment. This means that the feelings of loneliness cannot be easily relieved and will likely be more permanent. 

You can assume it's loneliness when:

* You feel isolation that comes with an unmet expectation or unreturned feeling

* You cry when no one is watching

* You feel a huge sense of emotional abandonment

* You struggle to find distractions, to free yourself from what you're feeling

* You start blaming yourself for how you feel

The Effects of Solitude

Being alone affects each of us differently. While many people tend to view being alone as a negative, there can be positive effects of social isolation. Being alone gives us time to think, which can help to improve our concentration and other cognitive functions. It also gives us time to reflect on our experiences and process what’s going on in our lives. 

Getting a little time to yourself also helps in avoiding overstimulation or stress brought on by too much of a stimulus - in this case, social interaction.

Being alone isn’t always a good thing, however. Studies show that complete social isolation can have a negative impact on our health, even if we don’t feel lonely. If we go for a long time without talking to anyone, it can also get us out of practice when it comes to listening and communication skills. It’s important to interact with someone every now and then, whether it’s a friend, relative or even someone more distant like a stranger or a pen pal.

You can assume you're alone when:

* You feel a sense of freedom by being isolated

* You feel so consumed with yourself that you smile for absolutely no reason

* You feel mental or physical freedom

* You feel like it's okay to follow your heart

* You love yourself, so you want to be alone

In conclusion, although being lonely and being alone are closely related, they are two entirely different things. Sometimes, being alone can be a good thing, especially if you need to unwind. 

But, being lonely is almost never a positive thing. If you feel like you are lonely, take whatever steps you can to reach out and make a connection with someone. In the end, you'll be glad you did.

Steps to Combat Loneliness

Steps to Combat Loneliness 

Loneliness is an unpleasant emotion that we usually feel due to social isolation or a lack of communication with other people. And, while nearly everyone feels lonely at some point in their lives, prolonged or intense feelings of loneliness can have a negative impact on both our mental and physical health. 

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to pull yourself out of a lonely “slump” without some type of assistance. This help can come from almost anyone... be it a friend, family member or professional. Whatever you do, try not to panic because things may just get worse. 

If you're looking for a solution, here are some steps you can take to stop feeling lonely and start feeling better right away. It might be simpler to accomplish than you think.

Find a Hobby

When you have nothing but free time on your hands, it's easy to allow your mind to wander and stir up feelings of loneliness or negativity. If you find yourself in this position often, why not consider taking up a hobby? Honestly, there are so many interesting things to choose from. Chances are it won't be difficult to find something that you can be passionate about - something enjoyable you can turn to whenever you have time to spare. 

Walking is a great hobby when it comes to combating loneliness. It allows you to get in a good workout and explore your community at the same time. Better yet, it's free. Make sure to say hello to the people you meet. You never know where the conversation will lead. 

Meet New People

It's difficult for some people to “put themselves out there” and meet new people, especially if they happen to be on the shy side. Make it your mission to meet new people as frequently as possible. Strike up a conversation with people around you at the store, gym, or even on the street. As the saying goes, "you can never have too many friends!"

Chat with Old Friends

A long chat with old friends does wonders to combat loneliness. Get in touch with someone you’ve been friends with for a while. Take a few minutes to fill them in on how you’ve been. It may seem daunting to get back in touch with someone you haven’t talked to for some time. But, if you reach out to them, your friendship will likely pick up right where it left off.

Take Time to Reorganize

While cleaning and reorganizing your house may not sound fun at first, it will give you something to stay focused on. Having a clean house will also make you feel better about having people over, and therefore encourage you to interact with people on a more frequent basis.

Consider a Pet

Pets are wonderful companions. However, it’s important to think very carefully about whether or not you want the responsibility of a pet before you decide to care for one. Unfortunately, if you don't you may end up regretting the decision later, which wouldn’t be good for you or the animal.

Stay Positive

Poor self-image and negative thoughts about yourself can make feelings of loneliness worse and keep you from seeking out contact with others. Always try to avoid having self-depreciating thoughts by being as positive as you can be.

Loneliness can be a difficult feeling to deal with. If you still feel like you need help after taking these steps, you may want to reach out to your support network - whether it’s friends, family, or even co-workers. 

If that's not an option, consider reaching out to professional help, which is oftentimes the most efficient way to get your loneliness in check.

Physical Effects of Loneliness

Physical Effects of Loneliness

Loneliness is an unfortunate part of life sometimes - a feeling we are all familiar with and have our own methods to overcome. For some, however, it may be difficult to combat loneliness. Worse yet, it can have adverse health effects if left unmanaged for too long. 

Chronic loneliness is a serious condition in which the person suffering from it is often depressed and unable to feel a sense of closeness with friends, family and their loved ones - no matter how often they are in their company. Despite the categorization of loneliness as a psychological or social pain, it can have extreme physical effects on the body over time as well.

Higher Blood Pressure

Hypertension or HBP is a lifelong condition that increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Studies have shown that people who are often lonely are more likely to develop high blood pressure later in their life. 

And in fact, it was revealed that even people who experienced modest levels of loneliness were also affected. However, they were at less of a risk than people suffering from chronic loneliness. Blood pressure is as much as 30 points higher in people who experience loneliness than people who do not.

Loss of Sleep

Research from the University of Chicago suggests that there is a connection between loneliness and insomnia. The study revealed that lonely people slept about 30 minutes less than other people. Depression is often associated with insomnia and may play a major role as to why people suffering from loneliness experience a loss of sleep.

Dietary Issues

A study published in Nutrition Reviews revealed that people who live alone are more likely to suffer from a poor diet, due to a lack of important food groups such as fruits and vegetables. People suffering from loneliness are less motivated to cook meals for themselves and instead turn to ready-made meals or takeouts that very often lack key nutrients. Poor dietary choices may lead to weight gain, lack of energy and increased health risks.

Effects of Hormonal Imbalance

The stress hormone known as cortisol is a very prevalent and dangerous issue in people experiencing loneliness. In fact, increased cortisol levels can be linked to most of the side effects of loneliness, some of which include weight gain, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues and depression. 

Prolonged cortisol production due to chronic loneliness can take a toll on your immune system, making it difficult to fight off infection and illness. It also raises prolactin levels, which increases your sensitivity to pain, making muscle aches and headaches seem worse than they actually are. Excessive levels of cortisol hyper-sensitizes your brain to pain, so headaches may happen very suddenly due to even slight nerve activity.

When you think about it, being lonely is just as bad for you physically as it is mentally. Think about all of the conditions mentioned here, the next time loneliness strikes. Remember, by doing all that you can to interact with people, you'll be helping your physical being as well.

Mental Effects of Loneliness

Mental Effects of Loneliness

Loneliness is an emotion that nearly everyone experiences at one point in their life. It is the feeling of disconnectedness or isolation that makes it extremely hard to communicate with others.
While feelings of loneliness tend to fade once an individual starts to once again interact with others, periods of chronic loneliness are typically more long-lasting and have a serious negative impact on overall mental health. What follows is a few of the mind-related effects that can crop up due to chronic loneliness.
Stress
Prolonged periods of loneliness have been shown to increase the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Having high levels of cortisol in your blood for long periods of time can lead to heightened levels of anxiety and depression. Even worse, this anxiety can cause you to shy away from getting out there and hanging out with people, which keeps you from getting rid of the loneliness.
Poor Sleep Quality
It can be hard to fall asleep when you’re feeling lonely. Dwelling on feelings of isolation makes it difficult to clear your head so that you can get a restful night’s sleep. Not only that, the high cortisol levels associated with chronic loneliness also make it hard for us to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Substance Abuse
Instances of alcoholism or substance abuse are common in people who suffer from chronic loneliness. This may be due to the fact that people turn to these substances when they feel like they don’t have anyone to talk to. And, while drinking may make you forget that you feel lonely for a time, it doesn’t actually address the factors which make you feel lonely.
Negative Self-Image
Feeling lonely can have a major impact on the way that you view yourself. It's easy to think poorly of yourself when it seems like you're all alone in the world. You may even feel like you’re doing something wrong, or that your loneliness is your fault somehow. Not only can these self-defeating thoughts further your anxiety and depression, they may also keep you from having positive interactions in the future.
Feeling Withdrawn
One of the most troubling effects of chronic loneliness is that it oftentimes makes you feel withdrawn and like you don’t want to make a connection with other people. This means that even if someone who is feeling lonely were to have a conversation with a friend or a family member, they may not open up like they normally would. It prevents them from forming the connections that they need to feel that they're not alone.
Because loneliness is such a common feeling, many people underestimate the negative impact that chronic loneliness can have on a person mentally and emotionally. If you think that you’re feeling lonely, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. It can be difficult to overcome loneliness by yourself. But, with the help of your friends and family, you can start taking steps toward feeling less isolated and bringing more social interaction to your life. 

How to Help Parents Who Suffer from Loneliness

How to Help Parents Who Suffer from Loneliness

Most parents don’t end up spending much time alone, especially when their children are young. But, even if they never actually find themselves alone, these same parents are certainly susceptible to loneliness. 

Loneliness occurs when we feel socially distant or isolated from others. Parents who maintain positive relationships with their children may not have a lot of extra time to develop friendships outside of the family. That being said, if you have a friend who is a parent and is suffering from feelings of loneliness, here are a few things you can do to lend a hand.

Let Them Know You Can Help

It can be difficult for anyone who is feeling lonely to ask for help. This is especially true of people who are shy or not very self-confident, who may find it difficult to reach out to people in the first place. 

If you suspect that a friend is feeling a little isolated, let them know that you're someone they can talk to. Call or text them every now and then to ask how things are going, rather than waiting for them to get in touch with you. Having someone to keep in contact with consistently will help to alleviate their loneliness.

Offer to Help with the Kids

One of the main reasons parents typically experience loneliness is that the responsibilities of being a parent doesn't leave them much time to socialize with others. If you’re comfortable with caring for children, you might offer to take care of their kids for the day (or even for an hour or two) so that they can get out and unwind. Even the occasional chance for some kid-free time will give them the opportunity to get out and connect with other people.

Give Them Something to Do

Group activities are a great cure for loneliness. Not only do they give everyone involved a chance to feel less isolated, they also help to keep your friends from allowing themselves to dwell on feelings of being alone. 

Obviously, you want to choose an activity or activities that you and your friends enjoy. To make things even more exciting, suggest something you've never done before. The best kind of activity in this case is one that re-occurs. Think along the lines of a weekly acting class or a monthly fishing trip.  

Not only does this help to establish a positive social routine, it also helps to reduce any feelings of loneliness that may pop up unexpectedly. How? If the lonely parent in question has something to look forward to, chances are that he or she won't feel quite as isolated.

If you can't or don't want to come up with an activity involving the whole family, helping your (parent) friend find the perfect babysitter is a thoughtful gesture. It simply means it's one less thing he or she has to stress over before the fun begins.

The best recourse for a lonely parent is a strong support network. So, it’s vitally important to step in to lend a hand when a friend or family member is feeling down. At the same time, it's also important to remember that being a parent is a lot of work. The last thing you want to do is overwhelm these parents with too much contact. It's sometimes tricky to find the proper balance.

Just remember this. When it comes to helping someone overcome feelings of loneliness, being a caring friend is the absolute best thing that you can do for them. If the tables were turned, chances are they'd do the same for you.

ARC Loneliness - Tweets

ARC Loneliness - Tweets

How to Help Parents Who Suffer from Loneliness

Tweet: Do you know a parent who suffers from loneliness? Here's how you can help. LINK

Mental Effects of Loneliness

Tweet: Feeling lonely can affect your wellbeing in many ways. Here are just a few of them. LINK 

Physical Effects of Loneliness

Tweet: How loneliness can affect your physical wellbeing. LINK

Steps to Combat Loneliness 

Tweet: Are you dealing with feelings of loneliness? Follow these steps to start feeling better. LINK

The Difference between Loneliness and Being Alone

Tweet: Yes, there really is a difference between loneliness and being alone. Learn more here. LINK

The Effects of Social Media on Loneliness

Tweet: Have you ever wondered about the effect of social media on loneliness? Click through to find out more. LINK 

Tips to Make New Friends

Tweet: Are you interested in meeting new friends? These tips will help you do just that. LINK 

Ways to Combat Loneliness after Moving to a New Community

Tweet: Moving to a new neighborhood? Consider these tips to combat loneliness. LINK 

What to Do When Your Child Feels Lonely

Tweet: Is your child dealing with loneliness? Here's what you can do to help. LINK 

What You Can Do to Help a Lonely Neighbor

Tweet: Does your neighbor seem lonely? Here are some things you can do to help. LINK

Ways to Remember a Loved One at Christmas

Ways to Remember a Loved One at Christmas

Celebrating Christmas without a loved one can be extremely difficult, especially when that friend or family member has passed away. Unfortunately, some people who are grieving decide to forego the holidays altogether. If you don’t fall into that category, here are a few ways to remember someone you love at Christmas.

Light a Candle

One of the most common ways of remembering someone during the holidays, is the act of lighting a candle on Christmas Eve. You don’t have to be overly religious to do this. In fact, you don’t even have to go to church. Lighting a small candle and saying a simple prayer, at home, has the same meaning.

Plant a Tree

Due to winter weather conditions, this won’t work for everyone. But, if you live in a warm climate, why not plant a tree in memory of the person you’ve lost? A pine tree is the most obvious choice, because of the season, but any other type of tree is suitable as well. This is an excellent way to remember someone, while helping Mother Nature to boot. By turning it into a yearly tradition, more trees will grow and more people will enjoy them.

Donate Something

Did your loved one have a favorite charity or interest? If so, consider making a donation in his or her name. It doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary in nature. Since it’s Christmas, think about purchasing several small gifts. Wrap them and donate them to a charity such as Toys for Tots or your local women’s shelter.

If the idea of donating to charity really appeals to you, think about doing it all through the year. It’s a fantastic way to help others and keep the spirit of your loved one alive indefinitely. These don’t need to be large donations, by any means. When you give to charity, even the smallest gift is appreciated.

Go Out to Dinner

If your family usually eats Christmas dinner at home, maybe it’s time for a change of scenery. Make it special by making reservations at your loved one’s favorite restaurant. Go one step further and ask everyone to order one of that person’s favorite foods. Chances are the dinnertime conversation will revolve around fond memories of your loved one, in no time at all.

These are just a few ways to remember a loved one at Christmas. Of course, you don’t have to partake in all of them. However, getting involved in one or two of them will help to bring back memories of those you love and miss the most.

One of the most crucial things to remember, any time of the year, is that everyone mourns differently. The process typically depends on things like religious beliefs, relationship to the person who died, age and overall family bonds. 

If this is the first Christmas without your love one, expect things to be difficult at times. The only thing you can do is take it one day at a time and to try not to be hard on yourself or others. Concentrate on the wonderful memories of the person or people you’ve lost. Things generally have a way of getting better, over time.

Tips on How to Say No at Christmas

Tips on How to Say No at Christmas

From the toy aisle to the Christmas dinner table, the holiday season is full of “no’s.” It’s important to be able to say no when it comes to things that you can’t do (or even don’t want to do). However, the high expectations of the holiday season makes saying no to friends, family, or even complete strangers very difficult. After all, everyone knows that Christmas is all about giving. Don’t be afraid of coming across like a Grinch, though. Here are some tips on saying no - even at Christmas.

Stay Positive

Even if you’re saying no, you can still present your case in a positive way. If someone’s asking you to organize a holiday party or to set up decorations, try to highlight the benefits of doing things a different way rather than the negative aspects of their plan. If your kids can’t live without a certain toy, try to keep them focused on the positive rather than simply telling them no.

Be Confident

People can often tell when you’re feeling unsure of yourself and this can make them less willing to take no for an answer. If you want people to take you seriously, it’s important that you project confidence. When you need to tell someone no, say it with conviction so they can see that you’re serious. This doesn’t mean that you need to be aggressive or rude. Just be firm and clear, and stand up for yourself.

Find a Better Solution

If you’re telling someone no about something but you don’t have an alternative to suggest, the person you’re talking to isn’t likely to come up with a new plan. Instead, they will probably try to find a way to make their initial suggestion seem more agreeable to you. And, while a compromise like this may be better, you’ll still end up doing something that doesn’t agree with you. Instead, try to come up with an alternative plan yourself. They just may go along with it, and that way you can avoid their suggestion without actually saying no.

Avoid an Argument

Any disagreement can turn into an argument at any moment, especially during the Christmas season. With tensions running so high, even the smallest issue can turn into a Christmas confrontation. If saying no causes an argument, ask if you can discuss the subject once things have calmed down. Arguing isn’t likely to lead to an agreeable solution, and can also cause feelings to be hurt.

Stick to Your Guns

Stick to your guns, no matter how hard someone tries to sway your decision. Remember, you don’t need to feel guilty about saying no. There’s no need to be upset about it either. The vast majority of the time, it really is in everyone’s best interest. Simple explain that you’re not saying “no” to be mean or disagreeable. Reiterate the reason or reasons why you’re saying no, as gently as you can. 

Yes, believe it or not, it’s entirely possible to say “no” at Christmas. Armed with all of the tips listed above, the task is probably easier than you think.

Teach Your Children the Importance of Giving

Teach Your Children the Importance of Giving

Everyone says that it’s better to give than to receive. But, it can be easy to lose sight of this during the holiday season, especially for kids. So much of the Christmas season is focused on toys and presents, kids tend to catch a case of the “gimmies.” Are you having a hard time teaching your kids about how important it is to give? If so, here are a few ways you can encourage them to be more giving, during the holidays and beyond.

Start with a Small Act

Many people have a hard time getting motivated to give because they feel like their contribution won’t matter in the long run. Prove to your kids that every little bit counts when it comes to donating either time or resources. Look for someone in your community that your kids can help with something like yard work or other chores around the house. 

Don’t forget to reward them for their good deeds and show them the ways that even a small act of kindness can be a big help to someone. That way, they’ll probably more willing (and excited) to help the next time.

Set a Good Example

Kids often want to follow in the footsteps of their parents. If you want your kids to pick up on how important it is to give, make sure that you practice a bit of giving yourself. Let them see you putting aside time to help others or donating to a charitable organization. Remember, it’s sometimes more difficult to get your kids to want to give when they’ve never seen you do so. All it takes is once, to set a good example.

Find Other Kids

It will be easier for your kids to connect with the idea of giving if they’re involved in a project with their peers. Look for opportunities like food banks or toy drives in your community. Check to see if they allow children to participate in their programs. If there aren’t any kid-friendly charitable organizations in your area, consider taking it upon yourself to organize a volunteer event. You also have the option of seeking out online charities or volunteer organizations that kids can relate to. 

Make Them Feel Empowered

The greatest motivator for giving is the feeling that you can make a difference. If you want your children to feel good about giving, make them feel good about themselves. Let them know that the things they have to say are important and encourage them to incorporate their talents into giving back to others. If they feel empowered, they’ll feel like they definitely can and will make a difference.

If you practice the act of giving on a regular basis, you make a habit out of generosity and charity. This is especially true of kids, who are growing up and developing into the people they will be later in life. Talk to your children about how important it is to give today and they will almost certainly make you proud of their compassion in the future.

How to Stay Healthy during the Christmas Holiday Season

How to Stay Healthy during the Christmas Holiday Season

If you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the holidays can be a real setback. Watching your diet is next to impossible with so many Christmas feasts to tempt you. Germs are hard to avoid on a train or plane ride to visit relatives. And, if traveling doesn’t make you sick, a little too much Christmas eggnog just might. Follow this advice to keep yourself feeling happy and healthy this holiday season.

* Whether you’re hosting the family Christmas festivities or simply attending, keep yourself focused more on fun traditions and activities and less on dinner and dessert. 

* Go light on the gravy. Using less sauce or gravy on your foods should lead to a healthier meal.

* Don’t underestimate a healthy breakfast. A good breakfast can keep you from feeling hungry later in the day and resorting to less-than-healthy Christmas treats.

* Stay away from holiday stress. Stress makes you feel anxious and irritable, and even has a negative impact on your immune system. 

* Plan fun family activities that get you moving. Sledding or ice skating are both fitness-friendly options.

* If you plan to travel using mass transit, carry sanitary wipes with you and wipe down surfaces in your area. Make sure you get the armrests, tray table and seat belt buckle.

* Keep yourself active, even if you’re travelling. If you have to wait for your flight to be ready to board, walk around the airport terminal rather than sitting to wait. 

* Chew gum after eating a meal to help resist the urge for after-dinner snacks. 

* If you’ll be staying in a hotel this holiday season, try to find one with a pool or fitness center. This will give you a place to get active in between family functions.

* Drink plenty of water. It’s easy to forget to stay hydrated during a busy holiday season, especially if it gets cold where you live. 

* Instead of candy, encourage your family to eat fruits like apples and oranges. They’re a healthier way to satisfy cravings for sweets.

* If you’re going to be drinking wine or eggnog, make sure you know your limits. A Christmas morning hangover can be devastating, especially if you’re going to be around excited kids who want to open presents.

* For every alcoholic beverage you drink, try to also drink a glass of water. This will leave you feeling hydrated and hangover free the next morning. 

* Consider using a fitness app on your smartphone to set fitness goals and keep track of how much exercise you get over the holidays.

When all is said and done it’s important to remember not to get down on yourself, in the event you “slip up” during the Christmas holiday season. After all, it’s typically the time to spend with family and friends enjoying yourself.

You can always get back on track after the holiday is over. That’s what the new year is for, or so the experts say. If it makes you feel better, you can even try to be a bit more health-conscious in January and February. Things usually have a way of evening out!

How to Reduce Christmas Stress

How to Reduce Christmas Stress

For many families, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year. But, the high expectations that come along with the holidays can lead to stress, depression or disappointment. With so many things that we need to get done in order to spread holiday cheer, it can be pretty easy to get overwhelmed. Here are a few things you can do to keep yourself feeling merry and mellow this Christmas.

Get Started Early

It’s never too early to start getting ready for next Christmas. Always keep an eye out for festive decorations or the perfect Christmas card while you’re out shopping. Not only will this give you less to worry about when Christmas is just around the corner, but buying holiday supplies off-season can also save you money. If the family Christmas festivities are going to be held at your house this year, start preparing weeks or even months ahead. 

Connect with Family

The stress of the holidays is much easier to manage when you’re able to use the time to reconnect with family. Find new, fun ways to get into the holiday spirit together. You might try decorating Christmas stockings together as a family, or singing carols around your community. You could even volunteer together at a local food bank or toy drive and help to spread some Christmas cheer.

Bring Down Expectations

Over-hype and high expectations make preparing for Christmas festivities much more stressful. If you worry yourself over having the best decorations, the most presents, or the most memorable dinner party, you could end up trying too hard (and going a little crazy). Try to keep your family more focused on family and being together than they are decorations or presents.

Cut Down on Spending

Financial issues are one of the leading causes of stress, and Christmas tends to be a very costly time. Try to save money where you can so that you have one less thing to worry about. Think of inexpensive or sentimental gifts that you can give, rather than something costly from the store. The same goes for decorating. Homemade decorations for the house or tree save money, as well as provide an activity the whole family can enjoy. 

Ask for Help

It’s very difficult to get everything done on your own during the Christmas season. But, you don’t have to get it all done by yourself. The ideal people to go to for help would be your family. All of the stress-inducing chores that you need to take care of can become fun family activities. Not only will this make things much easier, but your family is sure to cherish Christmas all the more if everyone helped make it happen together.

If you feel anxious when Christmas is a few weeks (or even months) away, you’re not alone. Many people consider the Christmas holidays to be the most stressful time of the year. But, as long as you avoid the over-hype and encourage your family to have realistic expectations, everybody in your family should have a peaceful and merry Christmas.

Homemade Christmas Food Gifts

You’ll probably be hard-pressed to find anyone who will pass up a homemade gift of food, especially at Christmas. So, why not take advantage of that. If you love to bake, not only will you enjoy whipping up a variety of yummy treats, you’ll generally save money in the process too. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Hot Chocolate Jars

Who doesn’t love a cup of hot chocolate during the cold winter months? Putting these together takes no time at all, and is every bit as thoughtful as other homemade goodies. There are many variations of this classic treat to choose from, some of which include adding ground cinnamon, chili powder or even crushed candy cane pieces. If you want a creamier hot chocolate, try adding a scoop of non-dairy creamer.

Mini Sweet Breads

Sweet breads are a nice change of pace from the usual Christmas favorites, and you can really go as simple or complex as you want. Try using mini loaf pans for a trio box, or make full-sized loaves and cut them into thick slices.   

Jams and Jellies

Homemade jams are a great choice for a DIY gift because you can make a different flavor for everyone. There are all kinds of recipes out there that feature fruits, veggies, or even bacon. These jellies can be enjoyed on a simple cracker or even alone. You can also make a simple bread or cookie to give them as a complementary gift.

Assorted Cookie Box

Christmas cookies are a time-honored tradition for many families. But, Santa doesn’t have to be the only one who gets to enjoy them. Make a dozen of each of several kinds of cookies, and put a couple of each kind into gift boxes.

Bourbon Balls

These bite-sized treats need time to cool after you make them in order to tame the bold bourbon flavor. But, they are a great dessert for a holiday party, as well as a delicious stocking stuffer. If you’re looking for an alternative to the bourbon flavor, try making rum balls instead.

Chocolate Bark

Chocolate bark is a treat made by layering crushed candies (usually peppermint) onto chocolate. There are an endless amount of custom bark recipes to choose from, meaning that you could give out a different delicious bark every year.

Biscotti

There’s nothing better than hand-made biscotti. These twice-baked Italian biscuits are typically made with almond extract, making it easy to pair with a wide variety of dried fruits, nuts and chocolate. The end result is a delicately sweet, almost too-pretty-to-eat dessert that everyone will enjoy. Make them a few days before handing them out so the flavors have time to meld.

As you might guess, this is just a teeny-tiny part of all the homemade Christmas food gift ideas available. Pinterest is a fantastic option if you’re interested in coming up with additional ideas. In the end, whatever recipes you decide on, it’s almost a sure bet that your thoughtfulness (and baking talent) will be remembered for weeks or months to come. Just one last thing. Don’t forget cookies for Santa!

Green Christmas Ideas

When many people think about Christmas, they think of a stack of gifts piled under the holiday tree. It’s easy to forget about the waste generated, mostly in the form of gift wrap and product packaging. 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, we generate 25 percent more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. That translates into roughly one million extra tons! The amount of energy used also tends to increase, mainly due to electric lights and decorations. Some of this increased energy usage is also related to the fuel used for travel purposes. 

There's no need to panic, though. Here are a few things you can do to fight back against the problem of Christmas waste. It really isn't that difficult.

Get Creative with Gifts

Gift wrap and product packaging really adds up over the holiday season. Not every family recycles all of this used paper and plastic once Christmas morning is just a memory. Worse yet, some wrapping paper isn’t recyclable at all. 

To avoid creating even more clutter, try to find gifts that utilize as little packaging as possible. You might consider gift cards or tickets to a concert or event. If you do plan to give a gift that needs to be wrapped, try to reuse old material rather than buying wrapping paper. Get creative! Use old newspapers, paper grocery bags, or fabric. Or make a wrapper using maps, or the pages of an old magazine or book.

Consider an Artificial Tree

For many families, picking out, chopping down and decorating a new tree every Christmas is a key part of the holiday tradition. But, this also means throwing away another tree each year. Consider buying an artificial tree instead. Not only will this save a tree, it will also keep them from accumulating in landfills. Since you'll probably end up using the same artificial tree every year, it means you can cross "tree shopping" off of your holiday to-do list for years to come. 

Avoid Disposable Dishes

No one likes taking care of dirty dishes, especially after a holiday party. The solution for many is to buy disposable plates, cups and silverware that don’t need to be washed after the meal. But, using traditional dishes and cutlery cuts down on much of the garbage that is generated by a dinner party. 

If washable dishes aren’t an option, make sure to find disposable dishes that are recyclable. You may also want to put out a clearly-marked bin so that your guests don’t throw these dishes in the garbage by mistake. 

Use Less Power for Lighting

Christmas lighting has come a long way. These days, you can get energy-efficient LED lighting both for outside use and on the tree. These lights come in a variety of styles and colors and use much less energy than traditional lighting. It’s best to put any lights on a timer or only turn them on when someone will be around to enjoy them. 

Keeping things “green” around Christmas is just as easy as it is any time of the year. Do what you can to reduce the amount of consumable materials you use; reuse items like plates rather than buying disposable ones, and recycle anything that you can rather than throwing it away. 

It’ll take a bit of effort, but incorporating these habits into your Christmas plans allows you to help the planet while you celebrate peace on Earth. What could be better than that?

Five Ways to Cut Christmas Spending

If money is tight this holiday season, why not consider cutting back on your holiday spending? Take a minute to read through the following suggestions. Saving money at Christmas time is probably easier than you think!

1. Set a Budget

      

It’s important to set a budget for yourself before you start buying gifts. It’s easy to spend too much when you’re not keeping track of your purchases. More importantly, it can be financially dangerous for people who find themselves living from paycheck to paycheck. That being said, set a monetary limit for yourself and stick to it. This will help to ensure that you don’t go overboard while shopping and also ease the financial stress that Christmas tends to bring with it.

2. Baked Goods and Do-It-Yourself Gifts

DIY or “do-it-yourself” gifts are a very heartfelt and widely popular way to express how you feel about the important people in your life. You’ll find a wide variety of customizable ideas for DIY projects, as well as tutorials on how to make them, on popular websites like Pinterest and Facebook. 

Baking treats for the people on your gift list is also a greatly appreciated, age-old tradition. You can keep it simple and make a communal plate of treats for your co-workers, or personalize things by whipping up some of each individual’s favorite sweets. In most cases, buying the materials and/or ingredients needed for DIY gifts and baked goods will cost significantly less because you have to create the product, rather than buy one that’s already made.

3. Have a Potluck Christmas Dinner

Try hosting a potluck dinner this year by simply asking your guests to bring the dish of their choice. Since the host is typically expected to provide the main course, think about requesting side dishes and desserts. 

Leave the choice of what to bring to the people attending. Part of the fun of a potluck is the variety of dishes. This not only relieves much of the stress of planning dinner for a group of people, it typically saves you a ton of money without sacrificing the quality or quantity of your holiday meal.  

4. Organize a Secret Santa Christmas

Secret Santa is a fun tradition for many people during the holidays. It is most commonly implemented among friends and co-workers, as a means to save a substantial chunk of gift-giving change. Because Secret Santa involves drawing a random name from a collection of participants, you’re limited to buying just one gift for the person whose name you drew, rather than a gift for everyone in your circle. 

While it may be difficult to get young children on board with the idea of receiving only one gift for Christmas, it’s often a home run for families with children who have grown up and understand the importance of limiting spending during this time of year.

5. Shop All Year Round

For many people, shopping for Christmas gifts all year round is arguably the best way to cut costs on holiday spending. This reduces much of the frustration of holiday shopping, and also saves you from buying gifts at inflated (pre-holiday) prices. Year-round shopping allows you to take advantage of amazing sales you can generally find throughout the year.

These are just five easy ways to cut your Christmas spending without feeling like Scrooge. Remember, it’s not the amount of money you spend, it’s the thought that counts!

Common Christmas Arguments (And How to Avoid Them)

The Christmas season is a festive time filled with family, friends and goodwill. Of course, it’s also a time of high expectations and confrontation. Every member of the family is typically expecting wonderful things to occur, and they’re likely to get vocal if they don’t think things are turning out as perfectly as they envisioned. 

Even the most cheerful family isn’t likely to make it through the holiday season without an argument breaking out. But, keeping tempers from flaring can be as easy as being calm and knowing what to say to diffuse the situation. Read on for some tips on how to respond when you hear…

“I Want to Sleep In on Christmas Morning!”

For younger kids, the alarm clock can’t ring early enough on Christmas morning. They’re eager to see what presents Santa may have left for them. However, once they get a bit older, they will likely be less excited about getting up in the wee hours of the morning. If there are still young kids in the house, explain to your teens that it’s important for the entire family to be involved in Christmas activities. If all of your kids have grown out of “Santa age,” you can easily push back your Christmas morning celebration to early afternoon.

“I Want Something Else for Dinner!”

The foods that you eat for Christmas dinner can become just as much of a tradition as the dinner itself. So, you may not be too happy if and when a family member wants spaghetti rather than ham and potatoes. Instead of changing the menu completely, come to a compromise. Cook a smaller portion of whatever your family member wants along with your traditional Christmas fare. Let the whole family try it. If they like it, add it to the menu as part of your annual feast.

“We Can’t Afford That!”

A strained financial situation is one of the main causes of arguments among couples, and the holiday season means even more strain than usual. If you and your loved one are arguing over how much a holiday party might cost, work out a budget together and stick to it while you plan your party. If that person thinks you’re spending too much or too little on gifts for the kids, create a gift list with them and decide how much you’ll spend on each child. 

“We Should Spend Christmas with My Family This Year!”

If your family spends every single holiday at your parents’ house, your significant other might decide that it’s time for a change. It’s important to reach a compromise so that they get to partake in their Christmas tradition as well. You might alternate between family Christmas parties from year to year, or spend the morning with one family and the evening with the other. There are several options to consider which makes it fair to everyone involved.

These are just four common Christmas-related arguments that may pop up during the holiday season. Be prepared! Keeping these examples (and solutions) in mind will help to ensure the most harmonious Christmas possible.

Christmas Hacks to Make the Holidays Easier

Feeling overwhelmed by all of the holiday hassle? Many people tend to have higher expectations around the holiday season, which can mean extra work to make everything perfect. But, you don’t have to work hard (or break the bank) in order to spread Christmas cheer. Here are a few hacks you can use to make Christmas quick and easy.

Tree-Related

* If you typically put your tree in the corner, you don’t have to wrap your lights all the way around the tree. Simply criss-cross the string across the portion of the tree that's visible.

* Store your ornaments in an egg carton. For larger ornaments, use plastic cups or coffee cans.

* Use things like popcorn and cranberries along with some string or twine to make natural (and inexpensive) garland.

* Take the bulbs off of your strings of lights and spray paint them gold or silver to make them stand out. 

* Use green tinsel to wrap around the inner branches of your tree to make it look fuller.

* Make you tree taller by placing a milk crate or paint cans under the base, then hide them with a tree skirt.

Decoration-Related

* Wrap your lights around a paper towel tube or part of a wrapping paper tube to store them once the season is over.

* If you run out of hooks while you’re hanging up ornaments, try using twine or zip ties.

* Wrap a bit of green garland around a tomato cage to create a quick and easy outdoor decoration.

* Wrap a couple of pool noodles with brown paper and paint them to look like a bundle of Christmas firewood.

* Hang ornaments from a ceiling fan or light fixture to form a festive holiday chandelier.

* You can run string through gingerbread cookies to make another decoration that looks good enough to eat.

Gift-Related

* Use double-sided tape while wrapping presents to add a professional touch to your gift wrapping.

* You can make a simple snow globe using a Mason jar, some glitter, and a few small holiday-themed trinkets. These could work as a decoration as well as a personalized gift.

Food-Related

* Fill squeezable ketchup or mustard bottles with icing to make cake or cookie decorating a snap.

* If your slow cooker isn’t being used to make food for your Christmas feast, you can use it to make a big batch of Christmas morning hot cocoa.

* Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon and clove into a pot of boiling water to fill your home with a festive holiday scent.

* Spread out some whipped cream on a baking sheet, put it in the freezer, and use a cookie cutter to make festive hot chocolate “marshmallows.”

Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to helpful Christmas hacks. Always be on the lookout for time-saving tips on the internet. You can also look in magazines around the holiday season for inspiration. You never know when and where you might come across a great holiday hack-related idea.

ARC Christmas

ARC Christmas - Tweets

Five Ways to Cut Christmas Spending

Tweet: Want to cut down on Christmas spending? Read this - it CAN be done. LINK

Christmas Hacks to Make the Holidays Easier

Tweet: Check out these Christmas hacks to make the holidays easier. LINK

Common Christmas Arguments (And How to Avoid Them)

Tweet: The best way to avoid common Christmas arguments. LINK

Green Christmas Ideas

Tweet: Green Christmas ideas. Mother Nature approved! LINK

Homemade Christmas Food Gifts

Tweet: Everyone loves homemade food Christmas gifts. Check out some popular recipes here. LINK

How to Reduce Christmas Stress

Tweet: Check out these tips on how to reduce Christmas stress. LINK

How to Stay Healthy during the Christmas Holiday Season

Tweet: Learn scads of ways to stay healthy during the Christmas season. LINK

Teach Your Children the Importance of Giving

Tweet: Tips on teaching your kids the importance of giving. You'll all feel good! LINK 

Tips on How to Say No at Christmas

Tweet: Tips on saying "No" at Christmas. You CAN do it! LINK

Ways to Remember a Loved One at Christmas

Tweet: Searching for ways to remember a loved one at Christmas? Here are a few ideas. LINK