Christmas is just around the corner and after multiple years of a not so merry holiday, it is time to make up for all the missed festivities and to focus on our mental health and wellbeing this year.
Our mental health should be a main priority this year. For individuals who have been vaccinated and who follow CDC guidelines, holiday gatherings should be something you are finally able to do and have a little more peace of mind as you partake in .
Knowing you are not alone and others have also been affected by COVID brings comfort, especially during the holiday season.
Dr. Rachel Goldman, a clinical psychologist, states, “This year, in particular, more of us may be celebrating the season with friends and family — as safely as possible, of course. Additionally, gathering reminds us “we are in this together.”
Following CDC guidelines, if you’re vaccinated, you can safely celebrate the holiday among family and friends. After years of uncertainty, uncelebrated holidays and zoom gatherings, it is time to celebrate with others again.
Christmas is filled with many traditions and each individual family varies in how they celebrate. However, the biggest shared tradition is gathering together. A common tradition associated with the holiday involves picking out a Christmas tree (real or fake) and decorating together with loved ones.
This tradition dates back to the middle ages “and was eventually popularized in the U.S. during the 19th century,” a History.com article stated.
Traditions for this holiday date far back and have continued to play a pivotal role in the celebrations we share in our modern day world.
Other popular traditions include baking Christmas cookies, watching holiday movies, caroling, family meals on Christmas day and many other unique festivities. Christmas brings comfort and joy for many people, therefore it is important that we go back to celebrating it, however we choose.
For many, mental health improves when gathered around a Christmas tree with close family and friends. Dr. Marcus De Carvalho of HPR Treatment Centers says there are studies that show decorating early has mental health benefits.
“What [the studies] found is that just by celebrating holidays early, we actually improve our mood,” Dr. Carvalho said. “It invokes good feelings from the past.”
Serotonin levels rise as the smell of fresh baked cookies and pine from the tree fill the air of a decorated home. COVID took away two years of celebrating together so the excitement is already starting when planning to celebrate finally together again, this year.
Our very own Belmont Shore here in Long Beach once again had to postpone it’s Christmas parade due to COVID, but a replacement event called the “Winter Village” will be held on Dec. 4.
Christmas looks different for everyone, but the world seems to pause on that day and everything seems more peaceful. Traditions vary from family and religion, but the one common denominator is the joy and warmth the holiday season brings to so many.
With many unique ways to celebrate this year and the loosened restrictions from COVID, there is hope and excitement as we prepare to reign in the new year and hope for a healthier 2022.