The holidays are supposed to be a joyful time of the year, but they can leave a lot of people feeling down in the dumps. Researchers have revealed a couple of ways to make your holiday season happier…
• Try not to over-commit: If you’re the one hosting, try to delegate the work as much as possible. If you’re going to someone else’s party, before you RSVP, consider if it’s something you actually want to do and not a sense of obligation. You’re better off not going to a party than going for the wrong reasons!
• Incorporate new traditions. This is especially important if you’ve suffered a loss in the past year. Instead of cooking a big meal, hit a restaurant, and then see a movie or a play. Starting your own new traditions will help you take your mind off the past. It doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate special reminders of loved ones, but it helps you establish your own memories separate from ones of the past.
• Give back. When we volunteer to help others it increases the levels of the brain’s feel-good chemical serotonin, and the feeling lasts beyond the actual tasks. People who volunteer two hours a week aren’t only happier, they also report better physical health.
