Christmas can be tough when you’re alone.

While December is seen as a time to connect with friends and family over drinks, dinners, coffee dates and work nights out, if you are spending the season solo, it can amplify feelings of loneliness to unbearable proportions.

It’s not great for your health either; studies have shown that people who are suffering from loneliness are 40% more likely to have a stroke or a heart attack during the festive season.

This year, a Cork psychologist is planning on making sure everyone has an invitation for a coffee and a chat this Christmas Day.

Sylwia McCarthy is hosting an Open Door Day from 12pm until 2pm on December 25th, 2019 at The Natural Clinic, The Old Firehouse, 23 Sullivan’s Quay, Cork.

‘Christmas can be a very difficult time’

“Not everyone is happy at Christmas time, some people can feel isolated and lonely, silently crying out for help.” Sylwia told Yay Cork.

“Christmas can be a very difficult time for people and that feeling of being sad or overwhelmed can often seem a lot worse when everyone else is celebrating. Therefore, I’d like to cordially invite all of you who may feel lonely and in need of some company and a chat to pop-in.”

The trained counsellor, life coach and therapist speaks both English and Polish and specialises in helping her clients to find ‘a more fulfilled and satisfied life’.

Anyone who feels lonely or fancies a chat and a coffee can drop by during those hours and Sylwia will be there to meet guests for the afternoon.

For more details, contact The Natural Clinic here.