Many people love and feel guilty about Christmas. We think of the rich food and time spent lounging, and it’s easy to feel like we aren’t doing enough.
Rest and relaxation can help lower unhealthy stress levels. And winter vegetables and nuts can boost health! Nuts are filled with important vitamins and minerals along with heart-healthy fat. Brussels sprouts are packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals. Cranberry sauce, if it’s a low-sugar one, is also beneficial! It contains fiber, vitamin C and bioflavonoid anthocyanin that aids brain health.
While hanging out with friends and family may take away time from going to the gym or your usual physical pursuits, it isn’t unhealthy! Social interactions and traditions like singing aid mental and physical health by decreasing loneliness that can take a toll on the body. Happiness releases dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin that boost energy and well-being. Plus, being with people can encourage you to get outside for winter walks and other outdoor activities you might otherwise shy away from doing alone.
Christmas is also a time of giving and kindness. Whether you are giving to charity, sharing with your family or donating your time, generosity increases your feeling of purpose, self-worth and life satisfaction. Gifts don’t have to be expensive to be meaningful and appreciated. Acts of kindness that show you thought of the people in your life make their day brighter and yours in return.
Being kind increases our sense of connection to others and improves our social network, making us feel happier and stronger in our sense of belonging. Sending Christmas (or New Year’s) cards can help you reconnect with old friends or neighbors. Offering family recipes or sharing old traditions with younger members of your family can make you feel more connected with the younger generations. And just smiling and saying hello to people on the streets can brighten the day of someone who might be struggling during the holidays!
Finally, if you are going to someone else’s home for Christmas, you may not do much, if any, decorating at home. But Christmas decoration can be excellent for mental health! In the darkest time of year, it’s nice to make our homes cozier and more inviting.
“Bringing in the greens” has been associated with winter festivals for hundreds of years. Garlands and fresh-cut plants were brought into homes when it was too cold outdoors, and their scents could freshen and clean stagnant indoor air.
Decorating can also bring us a sense of calm and order during this busy time of year. "Decorating can be looked at as a mindfulness activity, so you're going to focus on what you're doing, the placement of your decorations, your ornaments, the colors, the textures, just focusing on what you have in your hand can foster a sense of resilience, and it can have you in a space of peace," said Dr. Charletta Dennis with Priority Health. "Be intentional about what you do so setting holiday moments aside, making sure that you calendar them with your family and friends, you can do things like listen to music while sipping on cocoa or decorating slowly over several days."
Enjoy everything the holidays bring. Christmas is a healthy time of year!
