Well, the great day is nearly here. You have probably seen many over the years, some maybe when your mental health was in better shape. So I started thinking about how our mental health is affected by this festive time of the year.

For many people the run up to Xmas involves a great deal of planning. Too much produces stress and associated anxiety and this not good for our mental health. I am very fortunate as Mrs T is one the best planners/organisers in the world!

Yuletide also often means more connections with people. Normally I think this is mental health positive but I know there are certain individuals in most families that do not mix well and can cause disharmony.

Singing carols seems to be good for our mental health. As long as you are not next to the loudest voice in the room!

Now what about giving/receiving presents? Andy Cope an author and positive psychology expert suggests making a Xmas list. Not one to send to the North Pole but a list to change your mindset. His idea is to exclude actual material possessions and to concentrate on things like peace, love, time and friendship etc. I think this sounds very good for our mental health. 

Our moods can also be greatly improved by what we see. So go somewhere to view Xmas decorations and arrangements. Many years ago we (mainly Mrs T) spent many happy hours decorating not only our house but also the room at the nursing home where my mother resided in her latter years. Our elderly neighbour greatly enjoyed visiting our home simply to enjoy our Xmas arrangements.

For a more technical explanation of our Christmas emotions I found this paragraph headed ‘The Brain on Christmas’ on the ‘Ornamentally You’ site:

Our brain reacts in fascinating ways during the holiday season. The act of gift giving, for example, triggers a cascade of neural responses associated with reward and pleasure. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with happiness plays a crucial role in our enjoyment of the holiday season. Furthermore, holiday music has a unique effect on our brain invoking nostalgia, evoking emotions and even triggering the release Oxytocin the ‘love hormone’. 

Of course, Christmas is a time for crackers. Two people pulling to reveal the contents that will include a Christmas joke such as;

Q: What never eats Xmas dinner?

A: The Turkey, it’s stuffed!

Q: What do you call a deer with no eyes?

A: No idea.

Q: What happened to the man who stole an advent calendar?

A: He got 25 days!

Q: Who hides in the bakery at Xmas?

A: A mince spy!

Q: What did the stamp say to the Xmas card?

 A: Stick with me and we’ll go places!

Whatever you are doing over this holiday period try to enjoy yourself. Your mental health will thank you for it!

Teg

A Moodscope member