I HOPE everyone had a good Christmas-whether you officially celebrate it or not. The famous Christmas Movie ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’ said that “Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.” There are qualities and behaviours that we adopt or emphasise during the Christmas season that we can continue all year round, which will improve our relationships and allow us to live a happier and overall, more fulfilling life.

I genuinely have a much better time around most people during Christmas – they are simply lighter and happier. I’m not a massive people person, so I would love to feel this way more often and I’m sure others do too!
Whether you celebrate it or not, Christmas has a unique cultural impact like no other holiday. It is openly looked forward to from around October (earlier for some) and consumes the entire month of December. I want to talk about how we can all keep up the “holiday spirit’ of cheer and joy all year round- but without the stressful parts such as financial strain or usually packed schedule. This may sound ridiculous or impossible, but you can do things to trick your mind to have this type of positivity and excitement all the time.

So, in some cases, emotions can be pre-programmed reactions, meaning that they can be expected and even predicted. Many scientists believe that emotions arise from the brain, adding up three sources of information to create an on-demand experience. These are your physiological state, environment, and personal experiences. So, for example – if you like Christmas and you see your first set of Christmas decorations in the store or you hear your first Christmas song, based on previous experience and its connection to Christmas, you begin to feel positive and excited. Yes, we can do this to our brains all year round.

Firstly, putting into content with the above example, what makes you feel good about the season? Whatever it is, we can incorporate it into our daily or weekly lives. Yes, it’s Christmas and everyone is in a great mood; it’s literally called ‘Christmas Cheer’ – I get it. But can we not be normally cheery as it is fully within our control, because we already do the hard part naturally. Our problems don’t disappear at Christmas. We make an active choice to be more grateful, appreciative, and happier. Somehow and for some reason, during the holidays, everyone remembers that time is fleeting, and people are precious- we appreciate everything and everyone more.

Well, these facts remain the same after Christmas – every day could be the last that you speak to or see someone. We can still spend time with the people we love and who make us feel good; make plans to do so often. Doing this after Christmas is easier because you can choose whom to invite and you don’t have to put in that much effort.

So many people say there is no place like home for the holidays- indicating that they only go home or rarely do unless it’s the holidays. Change that! Yes, drives and flights are long, but life isn’t.

Keep giving and receiving, not gifts but rather the things that matter most. Continuously give and receive love, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, acceptance, and anything else that makes you and others feel good.

Continue to give your time. I know so many people who only volunteer at Christmas. Why? Everyone gives at Christmas and your favourite charities and organisations need it more throughout the rest of the year. Donate old toys, clothes, games or whatever you can spare- not only at Christmas because you are getting new ones. We already know how it helps the receivers, but studies show that donating and giving increases self-worth, lowers stress and possibilities of developing mental health issues. Some people leave Santa milk and cookies- give that to charity all year round.

Carolling! People love carolling! Surround yourself with music all year round. Keep the music alive as it helps increase the happy hormones in the brain. The Christmas decorations make people happy, but we don’t have to decorate at Christmas only. My grandmother used to leave her Christmas tree up every year and decorate based on occasion- like heart ornaments on valentines or Halloween ones during that time- that’s a true story.

Decorate your house. Do you have any idea how many holidays there are in a year? I’m not even talking about the national ones. There are so many playful holidays every month. For example, did you know that January 14th is National Dress up your pet day or that March 20th is World Storytelling day? Celebrate these and the many others too! Dress up for these holidays!! It may seem shallow, but it’s a simple fact that when we feel good on the outside, we internalise it– find reasons and occasions to dress up all year round.

At Christmas, naughty children get no gifts or ‘coal’. Some kids need reinforcement throughout the year. Teach them that it’s not just important to be good at Christmas for presents, but rather it is vital to be good person all year round. I’ve met plenty of kids in Guyana, so I think this is good advice. Teach them to be good people who will healthily contribute to society in the future.

I see many people are often excited about the Christmas countdown. This brings so many people joy and excitement, something to look forward to. Make a countdown to all the other holidays I mentioned and figure out a way to affordably and time friendly enjoy those.

Stay religious all year round. I know so many people who find extra joy at Christmas due to their religious beliefs, but there is no reason why you can’t keep this up all year.

Continuously believe in magic! Old or young – miracles happen every day- not just at Christmas.

Even though the family gatherings, overpacked schedule, free time and whatever else makes you feel good ends when the new year begins, the heart of the holiday can last all year long.

Thanks for reading. Please continue to send topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com.