Decorate for the Holidays Early … It Can Create More Happiness
Decorate for the Holidays Early … It Can Create More Happiness
As the month of December is here and you find yourself either itching to or procrastinating against stringing those lights, standing up your tree, hanging up ornaments, or outwardly preparing for Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza, psychologists say DECORATE AWAY - it can make you more happy.
Oftentimes the holiday season has one of two impacts on individuals, creating an oscillation between these two experiences: 1) memories of joyful childhood times, traditions, and cheer come to mind, or 2) sadness, grief, feelings of overwhelm and anxiety surface. Regardless of where you swing on this pendulum at any given time, the light and aesthetically decorative visuals can boost dopamine - the happiness hormone.
Psychologist Deborah Serani confirmed on the Today Show that it is true: decorating, displaying, and bringing out holiday décor can definitely lift your mood. She states, “It does create the neurological shift that can produce happiness. I think anything that takes us out of our normal habituation, the normal day in day out … signals our senses, and then our senses measure if it’s pleasing or not. Christmas decorating can spike dopamine, a feel-good hormone.”
What is it exactly about the holiday decorations that jumpstart those happy hormones? Psychologist Serani states, “For starters, the bright lights and colors. Chromotherapy - or color therapy - is a type of treatment where the theory behind it is: colors can influence and increase energy levels and in turn boost happiness. Or maybe it is just the ambiance in general … who can resist smiling at the sight of a Christmas tree being lit up for the first time? Of course, there is the nostalgia factor as well.”
If you find yourself swinging on the pendulum representative of Christmas cheer, then placing the decorations up early will bring you back and re-create those joyful feel-good emotions. If you find yourself dreading the holiday time and replaying traumatic memories from your past, it is now time to change perspectives during this time. Psychologist Elizabeth Lombardo suggests, “If you struggle during the holidays, start a new tradition. Whether that be going away, seeing a movie as a family, volunteering, etc. This change can create new associations. The next time the holidays roll around, you will subconsciously connect that time of year with your newer, happier memories.”
No sense in waiting at all! String the lights, dust off those ornaments and nativity scenes, light your candles, center your tree … your happiness can depend on it!
Laura Widger is a NY State Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience in the field of emotional wellness and mental health. She currently works for CCA-Connecting Communities in Action and specializes in trauma healing with children and adults. She lives in Cattaraugus County with her husband, children, and German short haired dog. Laura personally and professionally strives to promote internal self leadership and the discovery of true genuineness and balance within.