Holiday Tunes Impacting Emotional Wellbeing Explored
In the lead-up to the festive season, the sound of jingle bells and carols can be heard echoing through shopping malls and homes alike. However, a growing body of research suggests that the early playing of Christmas music may not be as joyful as it seems.
According to Linda Blair, a clinical psychologist, the early playing of Christmas music can irritate people and make them feel trapped. This sentiment is supported by Steve McKeown, a British psychoanalyst, who posits that Christmas music may trigger a countdown clock in our minds, causing stress and anxiety.
The phenomenon, known as Christmas Creep, has been a topic of discussion in recent years. Scott Dehorty, a licensed certified social worker, adds that instead of warm feelings of family and giving, early Christmas music can trigger thoughts of shopping, party planning, and other negative feelings.
On the other hand, Steve McKeown also states that people who decorate for the holidays early may actually be happier than people who wait or don't decorate at all. He suggests that this early celebration might help people integrate themselves into their neighborhood and build a stronger social network of friends.
A study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology supports this view, finding that people who put up decorations signal to their neighbors that they're more friendly and open than people who do not decorate.
However, for those who are immersed in the holiday season for extended periods, such as performers like Kate Chapman, a former Mrs. Claus in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the constant barrage of Christmas tunes can take a toll. Chapman lived with a never-ending loop of holiday tunes and "Ho, Ho, Ho" running through her brain due to rehearsals starting before Halloween.
By the time December 25 arrived, Chapman, like many holiday workers and performers, had little room for real holiday cheer. The gradual Christmas crawl, as McKeown calls it, can have a negative impact on mental health, according to Linda Blair.
Despite these findings, Chapman tried to keep in perspective that spreading cheer of any kind is a good thing to do. She emphasised that having people around you who nurture and support you during the holiday season can actually help you endure it.
Interestingly, major retailers like Best Buy and Sears start playing Christmas music in their stores on October 22 and November 1 respectively, with more than half of the retailers on the Tampa Bay Times' chart waiting for the day of or the day after Thanksgiving to start playing Christmas music.
In conclusion, while the early playing of Christmas music may evoke feelings of festive cheer for some, it can also trigger stress, anxiety, and negative feelings for others. It is essential to be mindful of this impact and to ensure that the holiday season remains a time of joy and celebration for all.
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