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Public affairs: How the holiday season brings cheer by Mattison Holland

Public affairs: How the holiday season brings cheer by Mattison Holland
  • PublishedDecember 28, 2022


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We all recognize the season where jackets are essential and beanies are recommended. We begin to feel a little pep in our step knowing Christmas and New Year is right around the corner.

For some, this time of year might be the one thing they look forward to. Everyone’s experience is different, but as we get older,  we learn to create or carry on traditions in order to make sure the next generation has memories full of laughter and love, whatever that may look like.

The season of winter not only brings a roaring amount of excitement, but also endearment as families and friends coming together. This cold season is a reminder that kindness is a choice of action. In fact, it always seems that certain people are more generous around Christmas than any other time of year.

According to an article by Insider the so called ¨holiday spirit¨ is real and very much alive during this holiday season. ¨In a 2015 experiment, Denmark researcher Brad Haddock showed two groups of people — those who celebrate Christmas and those who don’t — images of holiday themes as they underwent a brain scan. The front of the brain lit up for those who celebrated Christmas as the holiday images flashed before their eyes, showing that there is a “holiday spirit network” in the brain.¨

This experiment proved that even the idea of Christmas has a true influence on our psychological and physical selves. Just imagining holiday events, we’re anticipating sparks something within our brains.

Some say you should wait until December to start listening to festive music, while others plead that it causes you to lose a whole month of holiday spirit. Your favorite songs have the capability to boost your mood. It’s been proven scientifically that holiday music specifically can improve a blue spirit in a way regular music can´t.

An article written by Scripps, a health organization, discusses how holiday music can boost your mood as well as reduce physical pain, decrease stress levels, and even encourage stronger cognitive function.

Not only are our moods fluctuating this season, but our bodies even undergo their own changes due to weather. A report done by SignatureMD discusses how our human bodies react to colder weather.

Although ¨Cold weather can put increased stress on our cardiovascular system,” cold weather can positively affect out bodies too. SignatureMD tell us ¨Studies have found that exercising in cold weather can increase your body’s energy expenditure even after you’ve finished your workout. You also burn more calories while exercising in the cold as your body is expending energy to keep warm.¨

Winter is a special season, not only does it include the most celebrated holiday, but it brings around loved ones, random acts of kindness, and sentimental feelings. Sometimes it’s even full of unexpected snowfall. 

In the New Year, make sure to cherish the people around you and remember that a smile goes a long way.

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By Mattison Holland 

Mattison Holland

Written By
Taylor Nye

Taylor Nye is the editor of Front Porch News. She has degrees from the University of Wisconsin in human biology, Latin American studies, and public health. She has previously worked at the Wisconsin State Journal, Tucson Weekly and Sulphur Springs News-Telegram. As a sixth generation Hopkins County resident, she loves celebrating our heritage and history.