Holidays can be a very lonely time, particularly for those who spend the holidays solo. Below are ten tips to keep yourself balanced, sane and productive over the holidays, with options for both extroverts and introverts alike.
对于那些独自过节的人们来说,假期是孤单的。无论你是内向还是外向的人,下面十条建议能帮你在假期调整好心态,头脑清晰保持高效率。

1. Plan your time in advance
事先做好计划

You’ll have several days to fill up, so be proactive. Find books and movies you have always wanted to read and watch, and make a list of events that you’d like to attend. Without a plan you might find yourself being alone and bored, which will lower your spirits.
你有几天的空闲假期,赶紧提前安排好吧。把那些你一直想看的书和电影找出来,做一个你想做的事情清单。没有计划的假期会让你觉得十分孤单和无聊,使你的情绪低落。

2. Use your time wisely
好好利用时间

Make a list of things you have always wanted to do but never had the time for. See this time alone as a gift: a stretch of time where you have total control to do whatever you want. Use it wisely.
做一个清单,写下你一直想做但没有时间干的事情。把这段假期当成一份礼物:你可以完全控制时间做你自己想做的事情。好好利用哦。

3. Find support
找到精神支柱

Extroverts can reach out to others to touch base during the holidays. Note that scheduling time to talk with friends and loved ones makes contact more likely to happen. Introverts get support internally, so journaling and taking some time for personal reflection is a good idea.
外向的人在假期总会和其他人一起度过,记住抽出时间和朋友们以及爱人聊天,让你们之间的接触更多。内向的人也可以得到内心的寄托,记日记或是花点时间自我反省都是不错的方法。

4. Don’t wallow
别堕落

Holidays alone tend to be times when beating yourself up and getting depressed are more likely to happen. Do something fun, instead! Avoid solo holiday depression by re-framing your time by yourself as an opportunity to grow. Be grateful—some people who are enduring family dinners wish they were in your place.
一个人的假期更容易让人忧心忡忡,感到压抑。做些有趣的事情吧!把这些时间当做促进自己成长的机会,这样你就能有效摆脱节日孤单感啦。要心怀感激:要知道有些在吃家庭晚宴的人们反而羡慕你的生活。

5. Get social
交际起来

Reach out to your social network and find out who is orphaned like you are and bring them together. Meet for dinner, a movie, go for drinks, or throw a party. Extend an invitation to those with whom you have a lot in common. Introverts may want to arrange one-on-one meetings with close friends, or have Skype chats with friends from afar.
好好使用你的社交圈,找到那些和你一样孤单的人们,聚集在一起,吃饭、看电影、喝茶或是举办个聚会,邀请那些和你志趣相投的人们。内向的人也会想和自己的密友单独约会,或是和远方的朋友们语音聊天。

6. Accept Invitations
接受邀请

If friends invite you out to parties or to spend holidays with their family, accept their invitations. If you feel you are being invited out of pity, get over it: self-pity is vastly overrated, and they wouldn’t invite you if they didn’t want you there.
如果朋友们邀请你参加聚会或是和他们的家人一起度假,就接受吧。不要觉得别人是出于同情才邀请你:自怜真是没有必要,如果他们不想看见你,干嘛还要邀请你?

7. Volunteer
当志愿者

Food banks, shelters and crisis centers are short-staffed during holidays when the demand is greatest. Helping out those in need will make you feel good, and will brighten other people’s holidays in turn.
接济穷人的食物银行、避难所以及危机中心,在假期都会因为工作繁忙出现人手短缺的情况。帮助那些需要帮助的人能让你感觉不错,还能反过来给这些人带来假期的温暖。

8. Indulge yourself
犒劳自己

Holidays are a time when people indulge themselves, so splurge on a few things you wouldn’t ordinarily buy yourself. Comfort food is always welcome!
假期是好好犒劳自己的日子,所以狠下心来买一些平时舍不得买的东西吧,大吃一顿也是不错的选择哦!

9. Random Act of Kindness
做点善事

Do something kind. It might be feeding birds or squirrels in the park or buying a sandwich for a homeless person. It will make you feel lighter and more grateful for what you have.
做些善事。可以是给公园的小鸟或松鼠喂食,又或者是给那些无家可归的人买一个三明治。这会让你感觉轻松,对你所拥有的一切更加心存感激。

10. Have Faith
拥有信念

If you are religious, find a church service to attend, or seek out something you regard as spiritual such as meditation, yoga, exercise, a walk in the park, or being around animals. Use this as an opportunity to replenish your spiritual juice.
如果你是宗教徒,那去教堂参加活动吧,或是找那些你认为有精神意义的事情去做,比如冥想、瑜伽、锻炼,公园散步或是和动物们相处。把假期当成是净化心灵的一次好机会吧。