This time of year is usually when families and friends get together to celebrate but Australians are feeling more lonely coming into the festive season, new data from the Australian Red Cross has found. According to the annual survey of 1000 people, 33 percent of people feel lonely in the lead-up, and during, the festive season, a 4 percent increase from 2020. It was also revealed that people in the younger age bracket, 18—29, felt more alone compared to the total population, while significantly more women surveyed (40 percent) are more lonely than men (26 percent). “After a tumultuous year of snap lockdowns and significant restrictions across Australia, it’s not surprising that people are feeling they have lost connections, are experiencing loneliness and are a little hesitant about the festive season,” said Red Cross Director of Volunteering Penny Harrison. “It’s also apparent that younger people are worried about possible border closures keeping them from family and friends.” The survey also showed people aged 18-39 were …