Throughout history, we have always been keen to weave celebrations into the fabric of our lives, marked by traditions and joyful gatherings. However, have you wondered what drives people to pass this enduring interest in celebration down through generations? How exactly do these celebrations impact our health?
We are inherently social and have a natural tendency to live in and belong to groups. This inherited need along with our social nature, plays a significant role in why humans invent celebrations. Celebrations provide shared experiences that strengthen social bonds between individuals within a group. This reinforces positive emotions within the group and motivates continued cooperation.
Celebrations and festive rituals vary widely depending on societies and their cultures, as well as the occasions. Yet, the constant fact is that they may have positive and negative impacts on our health.
Positive Impacts
Improved mental health and strengthened social bonds: Psychologists have linked celebrations and special occasions to increased feelings of security and comfort, in addition to reduced anxiety. Studies have shown that practicing rituals during holiday seasons or religious occasions can reduce stress, improve the mood, promote feelings of comfort and satisfaction, and improve overall mental health. They strengthen social bonds by providing opportunities to connect with family and friends, share feelings of joy and happiness, and create lasting memories. Creating lasting fond memories will foster nostalgia over time, which can attenuate negative thoughts.
A study assessed the patterns of brain activity associated with nostalgia and considered it predominantly positive as it boosts self-esteem, increases meaning in life, fosters social connectedness and support, enhances psychological health and well-being, attenuates dysphoric states such as loneliness, boredom, stress, or death anxiety. It can also maintain and improve emotional and memory functions among older adults, enrich psychological well-being, and ameliorate depression.
Negative Impacts
Although celebrations and feasts have positive impacts, for some individuals they may be overshadowed by negative emotions. For example, a report in 2014 by the American National Alliance of Mental Health showed that 64% of people with mental illnesses suffered from worsening during holidays. Another study by the American Psychological Association states that 38% of adults report increased stress levels during the holiday season. Reasons for this vary including:
Loneliness or grief: For individuals who have recently experienced loss or social isolation, the festive atmosphere can increase their feelings of being left out or missing loved ones, amplifying their sense of sadness.
Financial pressure: The perceived celebrations and feasts needs can create financial burdens, especially for those already facing financial constraints. This can lead to anxiety, guilt, and negative feelings towards the celebration itself.
Lack of time: The preparation and participation in celebrations often require considerable time commitment, which can be especially challenging for individuals with busy schedules. This can lead to feelings of exhaustion and frustration.
Gift-giving: while intended to spread joy, can also become a source of stress. The pressure to find the perfect gift, coupled with the fear of disappointing the recipient, can be overwhelming, causing unnecessary stress and anxiety.
It is important to remember that celebrating is a personal experience, and what brings joy to one person might not resonate with another. Recognizing and acknowledging the potential for negative emotions during celebrations is crucial to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Tips to manage stress and navigate celebrations more positively:
- Be honest with yourself and communicate openly with friends and family. Acknowledge your feelings, whether positive or negative.
- Set realistic expectations and do not overcommit yourself. Prioritize self-care and delegate tasks when possible.
- Focus on experiences, not material things, and create meaningful memories by spending quality time with loved ones, engaging in shared activities, and creating new traditions.
- Seek support If you are struggling with negative emotions, do not hesitate to reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional.
In conclusion, feasts and celebrations can be Joyful and promote our health, but it is important to be mindful of their potential health effects and make informed choices. By prioritizing health, we can enjoy these special occasions.
References
Young, Simon N. “The Neurobiology of Human Social Behaviour: An Important but Neglected Topic.” Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience: JPN, vol. 33, no. 5, Sept. 2008, pp. 391–92. PubMed Central, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2527715/.
Brooks, Alison Wood, et al. “Don’t Stop Believing: Rituals Improve Performance by Decreasing Anxiety.” Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, vol. 137, Nov. 2016, pp. 71–85. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2016.07.004.
Verghese, Abraham. “Spirituality and Mental Health.” Indian Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 50, no. 4, 2008, pp. 233–37. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.44742
Abeyta, Andrew A., et al. “Combating Loneliness with Nostalgia: Nostalgic Feelings Attenuate Negative Thoughts and Motivations Associated with Loneliness.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 11, 2020. Frontiers, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01219.
Van Tilburg, Wijnand A. P., et al. “How Nostalgia Infuses Life with Meaning: From Social Connectedness to Self‐continuity.” European Journal of Social Psychology, vol. 49, no. 3, Apr. 2019, pp. 521–32. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2519.
Ziyan Yang, Tim Wildschut, Keise Izuma, Ruolei Gu, Yu L L Luo, Huajian Cai, Constantine Sedikides, Patterns of brain activity associated with nostalgia: a social-cognitive neuroscience perspective, Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Volume 17, Issue 12, December 2022, Pages 1131–1144, https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsac036
“Even a Joyous Holiday Season Can Cause Stress for Most Americans.” Https://Www.Apa.Org, https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress
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