8 Holiday Traditions Research Proves Keep You Happier and Healthier All Season Long
Boost joy, ease aches, sharpen your memory and more with these festive activities
Your favorite holiday traditions aren’t just fun—they’re also surprisingly good for your health! Whether you’re singing along to your favorite festive tunes, cuing up Christmas movies or nibbling peppermint bark, these little moments of joy keep you happy and healthy through the holidays and beyond. From lowering your blood pressure to sharpening your memory, you’ll be amazed at how these activities can boost your wellbeing during the most wonderful time of the year.
8 holiday traditions that keep you healthy
The secret to a healthy holiday season? Enjoying all the traditions you love! Here, the surprising hidden perks of your favorite festive pastimes.
A brisk stroll boosts immunity
Walking past glowing holiday displays spreads cheers and strengthens your immune system. CDC research shows that at least 10 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (the kind that makes you a little out of breath) every week significantly reduces your risk of influenza and pneumonia. And the more you do, the lower your risk goes.
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Exercise improves lung function, spurs a greater output of immunoglobulin A antibodies in your nose and mouth and dials down inflammation—all of which help your body fend off viruses and bacterial infections more effectively. Worried about the cold? Throw on a lightweight packable blanket, like the Gravel Layover Travel Blanket, during your stroll to stay extra cozy.
Also smart: Singing carols. A Willamette University study found that actively engaging in music—by singing, clapping or drumming your fingers—increases production of immunoglobulin A in the mucus of your nose and mouth to help you stay healthy.
Family movie nights lift your spirits
Making time for the same cherished family traditions every holiday season (like hosting an It’s a Wonderful Life watch party) boosts your overall happiness. According to Harvard University researchers, family rituals bring you closer to your loved ones and amplify the joy of the holiday, lifting your spirits high.
Also smart: Slipping on cozy pajamas. A study in the Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics found that wrapping yourself in soft, plush textures like fleece or velour activates nerve endings in the skin that signal the brain’s emotional centers to spur feelings of comfort, pleasure and joy.
Festive music eases aches and pains
There’s no faster way to get into the Christmas spirit than by listening to your favorite holiday-themed tunes like “Jingle Bell Rock.” But your holiday playlist is more powerful than you think. Another reason to sing along? It dials down arthritis pain, back aches and other discomfort. Researchers from Harvard Medical School found that festive melodies trigger a surge in feel-good dopamine and mood-stabilizing serotonin, which dampen pain signals.
Also smart: Adorning your home with a eucalyptus wreath or lighting a eucalyptus-scented candle, like Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint 3-Wick Candle, soothes discomfort too. South Korean researchers found that inhaling eucalyptol, a compound in eucalyptus leaves, reduces pain by blocking pain receptors within 30 minutes.
Holiday parties sharpen your memory
Inviting friends over for a white elephant party—where you swap and “steal” quirky, regifted or just-for-fun presents—is sure to result in lots of laughs. Even better, it may also improve recall. That’s the suggestion of a new Northwestern study that found superagers (people aged 80 and up with the memory of someone two to three decades younger) have a crucial habit in common: They socialize often. Lighthearted chatting and joking around stimulates your brain, keeping it sharp.
Also smart: A holiday staple like eggnog can help keep your memory sharp. New research from UC San Diego shows that women who consume five eggs a week—be it in a morning omelet or cup of creamy eggnog—have better long-term recall than those who skip ‘em. Egg yolks are rich in key nutrients such as choline and lutein that keep memory regions in the brain functioning at their best.
Silly traditions help you sleep soundly
Love holiday traditions that give you a giggle, like donning a gaudy reindeer cardigan or sending funny Hanukkah cards? While they might seem frivolous, they work wonders for your sleep. Research in the Journal of Advanced Nursing shows that laughing is a natural stress reliever that reduces tension. This allows your body and mind to relax so you can drift off more easily and get deeper Zzzs.
Also smart: Attending worship services, such as midnight mass, can help you sleep deeper. Researchers from the University of Arizona explain that religious practices reduce anxiety by increasing optimism, a key factor for better sleep.
Giving gifts lowers your blood pressure
Seeing the smiles on family members’ faces isn’t the only benefit of giving presents. Turns out, it lowers your blood pressure too. In a study from UC Irvine, folks who made a habit of giving gifts to others had systolic blood pressure (top number) that was seven points lower and diastolic (bottom number) BP that was nearly six points lower than those who didn’t give presents. And this held true even when the gifts were inexpensive. Picking out or making items that someone else will enjoy strengthens your connection to others, which spurs the release of the calming hormones oxytocin and vasopressin that allow blood to flow more easily.
Also smart: Indulging in peppermint bark. After reviewing 145 studies, British investigators concluded that regularly eating these foods such as dark chocolate, apples and grapes reduces systolic BP (top number) by nearly seven points and diastolic (bottom number) by five points in just a few weeks. They contain antioxidant compounds that make blood vessels more flexible and improve blood flow.
Burn more calories by window shopping
Even after you’ve found the perfect gift for everyone on your list, here’s why it’s smart to keep browsing for yourself (no need to buy anything!): Strolling through stores can help whittle away excess pounds. Italian researchers discovered that walking for about 30 seconds then briefly pausing—like when looking at product displays—uses 20 to 60 percent more energy than keeping a steady pace. Restarting movement takes more effort than staying in motion, forcing your body to work harder without you even noticing.
Also smart: A University of Chicago study reveals that regularly getting at least eight hours of sleep leads to consuming about 270 fewer daily calories than if you slept fewer than six and a half hours. A full night’s rest is vital for regulating appetite-controlling hormones like leptin and ghrelin so that you wake up with less hunger.
Relieve stress with a holiday novel
If you’re tempted to read another chapter of a novel like The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan before putting it down, go ahead! A new University of Georgia study reveals that binge-reading (and binge-watching) are potent tension-tamers. The longer you stay with a story, the more vividly you recall the characters, settings and plot. This makes it easier to lose yourself in uplifting daydreams about this fictional world, providing a calming mental escape.
Also smart: Feel free to give yourself a digital breather. Canadian researchers found that checking email less often dials down stress. Without the constant distracting ping of notifications, you can focus fully on relaxing fun.
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