Winter holidays are usually associated with a lot of food, drink, inactivity and even stress. So far nothing healthy, right?
But what if I tell you that Christmas can boost your health and wellbeing?
Here's how:
Giving and receiving gifts
When we receive a gift, our brain releases the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of joy and well-being. Of course, it is good for both mental and physical health.
But it’s even more useful to give gifts: in this case, not only dopamine is released, but also oxytocin, the “hug hormone”. Worm hugs improve well-being, lower heart rate and blood pressure.
Speaking of hugs. No holiday offers as many hugs as Christmas, so seize the moment!
Getting together with family and friends
Experts have found that stress is minimized and feelings of happiness are maximized after spending about six hours with family and friends.
When else would that be possible but at Christmas? So get together with your dear and beloved people during the holidays, and stress simply won't stand a chance of harming your mental well-being.
Singing and dancing
The health benefits of dancing are obvious, if only because it is, first and foremost, movement. But you may not have heard about the healing effects of singing, so let's dwell on them in more detail.
First, singing strengthens the immune system by increasing immunoglobulin levels.
Secondly, singing is an excellent physical exercise, improving the condition and functioning of the lungs, strengthening the diaphragm, stimulating blood circulation and saturation of tissues with oxygen.
Thirdly, singing strengthens the muscles of the throat and upper palate. So if you have problems with snoring or sleep apnea, you should take up singing.
Finally, singing is a natural antidepressant, because during this activity the body produces endorphins.
So when thinking about how to entertain guests on Christmas night, don't forget to include singing.
Watching Christmas comedies
Experts say that laughter has a therapeutic effect, because it reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol and strengthens the immune system.
Have you ever noticed that after a good comedy you want to eat? It's very similar to how your appetite increases with moderate exercise.
This is very helpful for people suffering from chronic pain: lack of appetite can make their condition even worse. Many elderly people often lose their appetite due to depression, which combined with lack of physical activity puts their health at risk. Laughter fitness is quite capable of helping them.
By the way, laughter has another thing in common with fitness. Scientists have proven that when we shake with laughter, our body expends 20% more energy than at rest. In 15 minutes of laughter we burn up to 50 kcal.
Even if you don't suffer from a lack of appetite, Christmas movies are a great fitness exercise to keep you fit.
Seasoning drinks and food
Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves have antioxidant properties. Cinnamon can normalize blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and nutmeg has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
So drink mulled wine, bake muffins with dried fruit and nuts, don't forget to spice them up, and enjoy Christmas!
Decorating
If you decorate your home for Christmas, it turns out, it can make you a happier person. Happy childhood feelings or anything that evokes nostalgia can reduce stress and anxiety. In a world full of stress and anxiety, people like to connect with things that make them happy, and Christmas decorations evoke such strong childhood feelings. Decorations are just an anchor or pathway to these magical emotions.
Of course, everyone has their own reasons to enjoy this wonderful winter holiday. The most important thing is to feel good, to be where you want to be, to do what you want to do, and to forget, at least for a while, about everyday worries.