New Year is a time of joy, fun and expectation of miracles. One of the main elements of a magical atmosphere is home decoration. But why is it so important to start this process long before the holiday itself? Psychologists say that this is of great importance for our mood and emotional well-being.
British magazine Unilad published study in which psychologists had clear opinions on home decorating in the weeks leading up to the holidays.
Thus, according to experts, such activities cause an increase in the level of dopamine, known as the hormone of happiness, in the blood. Decorating your home can be like a natural antidepressant, and you shouldn’t put it off until later.
“It really creates that neurological shift that can lead to happiness,” confirmed psychologist Deborah Serani in a Today commentary.
But what exactly is it about Christmas and New Year’s decorations that triggers the happiness hormones?
“First of all, bright light and colors,” Serani said. Chromotherapy, or color therapy, which is believed to boost energy levels and increase happiness, may be involved, she said.
“Or maybe it’s the atmosphere – who can resist smiling at the sight of a Christmas tree lit for the first time? There is even a new scientific field dedicated to understanding how the environment we create affects behavior – neuroarchitecture,” said the specialist.
Plus, there’s the nostalgia factor. “For many of us, this is a magical time, a time of innocence, a time of joy,” the psychologist noted.
That is, if you have happy childhood memories of the holidays, then you will most likely want to recreate those feelings as soon as possible, for example, by hanging Christmas lights.
The opposite effect
However, there is also a reverse effect, the expert noted. If the holidays bring back bad memories from childhood, then a person may hate it when decorations appear in stores long before the holidays.
If you’re one of these types of people, psychologist and happiness expert Elizabeth Lombardo has this advice:
“Start a new tradition. Whether it’s a trip to nature, a family movie, volunteering. This will create a new association.”
This way, the next time the holidays roll around, you’ll subconsciously associate this time of year with new, happier memories.
How to replace the Christmas tree for the New Year?
Telegraf previously wrote that many Belarusians cannot imagine the New Year without a living Christmas tree. But what to do if for some reason it is impossible or even impossible to install one in a house or apartment? Or perhaps you wanted some variety this year? Of course there is an alternative solution.
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