Why Holiday Traditions can be good for your Mental Health
It can seem stressful to organize holiday traditions, but research suggests that it is worth the effort – at least for your mental health.
3 Science-based reasons to practice Holiday Traditions
1. Anxiety Buffer
Multiple studies demonstrate that structured or repetitive activities buffer against anxiety bc it creates a sense of predictability. During the holiday season, there is the added bonus of meaningfulness in those activities
2. Creates a sense of identity
Sharing holiday traditions creates a strong bond. Research shows that when children participate in holiday traditions, they learn important social skills and are more likely to develop healthy friendships.
3. Positive memories
Even if the holidays are stressful, we tend to remember the best and last moments, paying less attention to other things. This is called the “Peak End Rule” – we remember experiences like snapshots not a catalogue. So we remember moments that are emotionally positive (the peak) and the final moments of an experience (the “end”).
So if you choose to practice a Holiday Tradition, make sure to end it well.