Does Christmas Music Make You Happy?
Does Christmas music make you happy? Let’s just say there’s a reason why so many people start playing Christmas songs as soon as Halloween ends!
Halloween is over…and you know what that means…
CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!
Do you LOVE Christmas music too??
If you are also a fan of all-things-Christmas, then you’ll definitely want to keep reading!
If you don’t like Christmas music, then you are a Grinch and I can’t help you! Just kidding! Sort of 😉
Does Christmas Music Make You Happy?
It used to be that we had to wait until after Thanksgiving for the sweet sounds of Christmas to hit the airwaves, but these days the start of November often marks the start of Christmas music season too.
I know that I feel happier when I listen to Christmas music, so I wondered, is it just me? Or is this an actual thing?
Does Christmas music make you happy?
Drumroll please…………
Research (yes, real actual research) points to YES on this one. Christmas music makes us happier!
Why Christmas Music Makes People Feel Happier
While there are exceptions to every rule, study after study shows that Christmas music really CAN make people feel happier and even lower stress.
Here’s the scoop…
1. Christmas Music Brings Back Happy Memories
Numerous studies have shown a connection between music and nostalgia, where a certain song or type of music is associated with memories and feelings from the past.
That’s why hearing a certain Christmas carol or simply listening to Christmas music itself can trigger happy thoughts and bring on the warm fuzzies.
It’s not necessarily Christmas music itself that is making us happy, but the good times that we remember because of it.
2. Christmas Music is an Escape
A surprising statistic about Christmas music is that millennials embrace it more than the older generations. Yep, those “too cool for school” millennials are enamored with cheesy holiday classics.
One theory is that millennials use Christmas carols as a way to escape from the sometimes harsh reality of our modern world. We’re a stressed-out generation, but listening to sappy sounds of the “perfect” holiday season gives us a chance to temporarily forget our troubles.
3. We’re Hard-Wired to Like Christmas Music
If you’re one of those people who can’t wait for Halloween to end so Christmas season (and the music) can begin, it might be out of your control — it might be in your DNA!
Research by University of Cambridge music psychologist David Greenberg reveals that your cognitive style (the way you think, interpret and retain information) may determine the types of music you enjoy.
Those people who identify as “empathizers” (those who intuitively know what others are thinking and feeling) prefer slower, more mellow styles of music. Many traditional Christmas songs fall into this category.
For those of us who fall into the group of empathizers, those soothing holiday tunes help us feel calmer and more relaxed because that is what our brains crave.
And get this…
While you might assume that many retail stores play soothing Christmas music during the holiday season simply because it’s the time of year, the real reason is a bit deeper than that.
Those retailers have likely done their own research on music and behavior. Because Christmas music makes people feel happy, it keeps shoppers in the store longer and entices them to spend more money.
Now you know!
Love Christmas Music? Embrace It!
If you’re one of those people who can’t wait for November to roll around and radio stations to start playing Christmas music, you’re in good company!
According to music streaming service Pandora, every year there is “a tremendous spike in holiday music listening.”
And why not? There are some legit benefits to playing holiday tunes! (Feel free to share this with the party poopers you know!)
To recap, Christmas music:
- Improves Mood – Christmas music lets us relive the best moments from holidays past – anytime we want!
- Relieves Stress – Christmas music takes us on a vacation from our troubles and helps lower stress.
- Increases Relaxation – Christmas music literally soothes our brains.
Insider Tip: Listen to all your favorite Christmas songs, where you want and when you want with Amazon Music! Click here to try Amazon Music FREE for 30 days!
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I can’t believe it is Christmas again. Time runs so fast.
You are right, Christmas songs brings joy to my heart. They bring back some fond memories.