FAC’s Holiday Hangouts Are Back!

The holiday season can be joyful, but it can also be overwhelming or lonely, especially when you’re living with fibromyalgia.

Why FAC’s Holiday Hangouts Matter.

The holiday season often comes with many expectations, like twinkling lights, festive gatherings, warm meals, family and laughter. But for many of us living with fibromyalgia , holidays can also bring stress, fatigue, isolation, loneliness or emotional overload. And for some, “holiday cheer” can feel out of reach.

That’s why the idea behind our Fibromyalgia Association Canada (FAC) Holiday Hangouts goes beyond simple social events they are are also about building a community of understanding, compassion, and support when it’s needed most.

The holiday season can bring moments of joy and celebration, but it can also be a time of heightened stress, fatigue, or feelings of loneliness, challenges that are often magnified for those of us living with fibromyalgia.

The Significance of FAC’s Holiday Hangouts

When we think of the holidays, we often imagine sparkling lights, delicious meals, lively gatherings, and laughter shared with loved ones. Yet for people managing fibromyalgia, the reality can be very different. The season may come with physical and emotional strain, unexpected fatigue, social withdrawal, or a sense of being disconnected from the world around them. In these moments, the ideal of “holiday happiness” can feel out of reach.

FAC’s Holiday Hangouts were created with these challenges in mind. They are more than just casual online meetups — they are spaces designed to nurture understanding, provide meaningful support, and create a sense of community. These gatherings offer a place where people can feel seen, heard, and supported, helping to ease some of the stress and isolation that the holidays can bring. By connecting with others who share similar experiences, participants can find comfort, encouragement, and a sense of belonging when it matters most.

The Value of Community for People Living with Fibromyalgia

• Support Makes a Real Difference

Research has shown that social support, whether it’s from friends, family, or peer networks, is strongly linked to better quality of life among people with fibromyalgia.
In qualitative studies, participants described peer networks as essential for helping them accept their diagnosis, adapt to life with fibromyalgia, and feel validated and understood.

• Better Mental Health and Well-Being

In people with fibromyalgia, greater perceived social support is associated with higher self-compassion and improved health-related quality of life, especially for our mental health.
Low social support correlates with increased depression, anxiety, and worse overall functioning in any chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia..

• Social Connection Can Help Ease Pain Itself

Emerging evidence suggests social connectedness can influence how we experience chronic pain. For some chronic pain patients, lack of social connection has been tied to higher pain ratings and greater emotional distress.
On the other hand, having a reliable, supportive social network can serve as a buffer which will help reduce stress, improve coping, and promote a sense of safety and belonging.

What This Means and Why FAC Holiday Hangouts Are “More Than Just a Zoom Call”

When you join one of our Holiday Hangouts, you’re not just signing up for a gathering, you are stepping into a space designed to:

Reduce isolation by connecting you with others who understand the ups and downs of living with FM
Offer emotional support, understanding, and a sense of belonging, even if you only log in for a few minutes
Promote well-being by giving you a chance to relax, recharge, and share without pressure
Empower self-management, knowing that others are there can help you feel less alone in managing pain, fatigue, and the uncertainty FM brings

For many, that kind of support can make a real difference — especially during a season that expects joy but sometimes delivers stress instead.

🎯 Holiday Hangout Schedule

December 2 @ 6 PM ET — Host: Trudy — Craft & Chat
December 9 @ 6 PM ET — Host: Janice — Knit & Chat (Beginners welcome!)
December 16 @ 6 PM ET — Host: Carolynne — Gentle Qi Gong
December 23 @ 6 PM ET — Hosted by the FAC Board — Christmas Party
December 30 @ 6 PM ET — Host: Natasha — Games Night
January 6 @ 6 pm ET – Host Lina — Journaling

All sessions are virtual, informal, and open to everyone living with fibromyalgia.

🧡 You Belong Here

Maybe your symptoms have been especially tough lately. Maybe the holidays feel lonely. or maybe you simply want a gentle, understanding space to connect with others.

Whatever brings you to our Holiday Hangouts, you are welcome. No pressure. No expectations. Just real people, real conversations, and real support.

We hope to see you soon at a Holiday Hangout. For this weeks’ Holiday Hangout go here https://fibrocanada.ca/a-place-to-feel-connected-this-season-facs-holiday-hangouts-are-back

With warmth,
The FAC Team

Sources:

Schoofs, N., D. Bambini, P. Ronning, E. Bielak, and J. Woehl. “Death of a Lifestyle: The Effects of Social Support and Healthcare Support on the Quality of Life of Persons with Fibromyalgia and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” Orthopaedic Nursing, vol. 23, no. 6, Nov.–Dec. 2004, pp. 364–374. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15682879/.

Cooper, Silvie, and Leah Gilbert. “The Role of ‘Social Support’ in the Experience of Fibromyalgia — Narratives from South Africa.” Health & Social Care in the Community, vol. 25, no. 3, May 2017, pp. 1021–1030. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27782344/.

Bennett, Robert M., et al. “Social Support and Subjective Health in Fibromyalgia: Self-Compassion as a Mediator.” The Clinical Journal of Pain, vol. 38, no. 6, 2022, pp. 431–439. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35001253/.

Montoro, Chanel Villar, et al. “Social Pain and Physical Pain: Shared Paths to Resilience.” Pain Reports, vol. 9, no. 1, 2024, pp. 63–74. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36996174/.