Making Holiday Happiness Last
After weeks of preparation, menu planning,
decorating and addressing greeting cards, just like that another holiday season
has passed us by.
Although the tree
ornaments may not be packed away, and the leftover food may not have
disappeared quite yet, it's still possible
to feel a bit of yearning for the holiday happiness you just experienced. It's
no wonder we're sad to see the season go: Studies show that holidays full of
family boost emotional wellness.
The good news is it's
possible to make that exuberance and joy you feel during the season last
throughout the year. Below, find six ways to make
your holiday buzz carry into 2014 and beyond.
Be Festive
When was the last time you celebrated
something, just because? Or had a festive gathering outside of the span of the
season? Adopting a more festive attitude, and ritualizing more events than just
the main holidays on the calendar, can actually help you cultivate more joy all
year.
Celebrating good times
and fun occasions can create a deeper sense of social connection and helps to build closer relationships.
By being festive beyond the holiday season, you also open yourself up for more
opportunities to log some time with your friends, which has been proven
to help beat anxiety. Celebrating the little things -- no matter
if it's an accolade at work or just because you're happy it's Friday night --
is also associated with overall gladness.
So next time you need a little pick me up, schedule a little festivity (the
ugly Christmas sweater is optional).
Send Greeting Cards And Thank
You Notes
Another way to carry
the holiday spirit through the rest of the year is to express thanks to and
keep in touch with loved ones more often than your once-a-year Christmas card.
It's no secret that gratitude is at its peak during the holidays, but
practicing it all year -- even in small forms -- can have a significant impact
on your on your emotional and physical wellness. Writing down what -- and more
specifically, who -- you're thankful for can
help you focus on the present and cultivate gratitude for all the good in your
life, according to gratitude researcher Dr. Robert Emmons. The
result? An increase in feelings of happiness and contentment.
In his book "365 Thank Yous," author John Kralik details how the
simple act of writing one thank you note can have a positive impact on your
psyche. After struggling with a series of challenges, Kralik made it his
mission to take the time to write a thank you note at least once a day to
someone -- and the results were life changing.
Writing a thank you
note or a message just to check in doesn't have to follow a material gift. Just
letting someone know you care will also affect your happiness levels -- but
according to Kralik, make sure you say it in print. "Things we write in
cyberspace are so easily deleted and forgotten ... buried by the next 30
e-mails we receive," Kralik told NPR in 2010. "In this day and age, a
handwritten note is something that people really feel is special."
Spread A Little Generosity
Part of the joy that fills the season includes
giving gifts to loved ones -- but that thoughtfulness and generosity doesn't
have to come to an end once that last gift has been unwrapped.
Adopting a giving
mentality all year round can make the jolliness of the season thrive -- along
with your happiness levels. According to a recent study published in the
International Journal of Happiness and Development, extending any bit of
kindness or generosity to others can increase social connection and feelings of positivity for the donor.
The study examined how
social giving affected emotional wellness, concluding that giving to worthy
causes through friends and family made participants feel the happiest.
"Our findings suggest that putting the social in pro-social [spending] is
one way to transform good deeds into good feelings," the researchers wrote in the report.
Spend Time With Loved Ones
Surrounding ourselves
with those who make us the happiest doesn't have to be a once-a-year treat. In
fact, spending time with people rather than your holiday giftscan
have a positive impact on our emotional well-being. According to a study
conducted by the University of Missouri, happiness levels were greater
when family events were more prominent during the season.
Connection with friends and family also has a major reduction on stress, resulting in more pleasant, helpful
and sociable attitudes.
Instead of the empty promise to get together
as you head to your cars after the Christmas party, try making a regular date
and sticking to it. A busy social calendar, along with some quality time with
those who lift you up, can help transcend the holiday happiness into the
spring, summer and beyond.
Let Yourself Indulge A Little
Admit it: You totally ate that second piece of
pie even though you were already full -– and even more so, at the time, you
didn't regret it. It turns out your desire to indulge isn't wrong; in fact,
allowing yourself a little leniency more often can actually be good for you in
the long run.
Research has shown
that those who didn't deprive themselves when it came to cravings managed to
stay on track with dieting a lot better than those who restricted themselves
entirely -- and that holiday buffet is no exception. In other words,
(mindfully) adopt that "cheating" attitude and grab a cookie at the
next book club or treat yourself to that bowl of ice cream -- a little indulgence is going to help you more than
hurt you, and will help your jolly spirit live on beyond the end of December.
Take Time Off
Perhaps one of the
most thrilling parts of the holidays is the mental break and time away from our
work responsibilities -- and rightfully so. A 2010 study published in the
journal Applied Research in Quality of Life found that the anticipation of planning and taking a vacation resulted
in higher overall happiness levels -- not a bad thing to have on your side when
you're navigating your way through a hectic day at the office.
And that's not the
only benefit of a little holiday. Studies have shown that taking a vacation can
help stave off a heart attack, alleviate stress and
help you be a healthier employee. So instead of just using the time alotted
to you at the end of the year, take a little more time off for yourself during
the other 11 months -- you'll be much jollier for it.
The Huffington Post |
By Lindsay Holmes
Posted: 12/23/2013 2:57 pm EST
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