It’s the season to be happy fa-la-la-la-la-la…
You have been hearing a lot of these holiday songs everywhere lately because the holidays are fast approaching.
Indeed, it is the most wonderful time of the year!
Whether you love them or hate them, holiday songs are powerful.
Why?
This type of sound carries strong emotional triggers that can make a person feel nostalgic.
There is something special about holiday music.
It has the power to transport us back to our childhood, to a time when we woke up on Christmas morning, our eyes half open, in our pyjamas, and our parents yelling that it was Christmas day.
We were running up the stairs, eager to see what Santa left for us.
The tree was surrounded by presents, and the house smelled of pine and cookies.
As we grew up, our holiday memories changed.
We started attending parties and festive dinners with friends.
We would exchange gifts and laugh until midnight.
But no matter how our holidays changed, the one constant was music.
Whether it was the carols playing in the background as we wrapped presents or the Christmas carols on the radio while driving home from a party, holiday music has a way of evoking memories and it makes us feel nostalgic for a simpler time.
So this holiday season, take a break from the rush and take a moment to listen to your favorite holiday tunes.
Close your eyes and let the music transport you back to a time when life was less complicated, and Christmas was the best time of the year.
Most holiday music is uplifting—from Frosty the Snowman to Jingle Bell Rock, these songs can naturally lift your mood.
This has been proven by scientific studies!
The emotions we feel when we listen to holiday music are sorted into two categories:
Perceived emotions: When we appreciate the tone of the piece, but don’t feel the emotion.
Emotions felt: When we connect the emotion behind the piece, and it has a direct influence on our emotional state.
If you’ve ever heard holiday songs and felt nostalgic afterwards, don’t be surprised.
Sounds have a strong connection with nostalgia, which is why you get a warm and fuzzy feeling every time you listen to Christmas songs.
Part of this is because the holiday music we listen to is associated with the joy that comes with happy memories.
Nostalgia is closely linked to psychological resilience and the development of social connection.
For many people, these holiday songs can blend in and act as a beautiful reminder of the joy that the season brings.
It’s normal to feel blue during the holiday season—in fact, it’s one of the most common issues many people have.
An excellent way to lift your mood is to create a playlist of holiday songs that can take you back to the great times during your childhood.
Crank up the jingle bells, and get in the holiday spirit!
