Why Christmas is actually good for you!
Surprisingly, the season of supposed excess provides plenty of health benefits for us, too
it might not be known for its healthy food choices – according to the British nutrition Foundation we can eat a staggering 6,000 calories on Christmas Day – or for its calm state of mind (heart attacks are at their peak). But despite this, the festive season is actually good for us. And here’s why…
you sing
Whether it’s warbling serenely at a candlelit carol service or belting out I Will Survive at the Christmas party karaoke, most of us will be exercising our vocal chords more than usual. And it doesn’t just lift the spirits. It’s been linked to stress reduction and even longevity, according to Heart Research UK. And it even counts as valid aerobic activity, which is good for your ticker.
you dance
Get those toes tapping and you could be giving your brain a boost. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that people who danced 11 times a month were 63% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Oh, and it’s a great calorie burner, too!
you give and receive
Present giving and receiving is good for us! The brain releases the feel-good chemical dopamine, which plays an important role in a range of functions, including movement, sleep, learning, mood, memory and attention. And one in three of us is more likely to give to charity at this time of year, too. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, donating money activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust.
you have more family time
Connecting with your family is key at Christmas. Throughout the rest of year, we rarely spend more than 36 minutes of quality time together in one go, thanks to our hectic schedules. ‘We all need connection and attachment, and sharing time together strengthens relationships,’ says Suzie Hayman, trustee of the charity Family Lives. So make the most of being with your loved ones.
you eat together
Less than 50% of families enjoy meal times together. But thankfully, come Christmas Day, the sit-down family meal is a tradition 88% of us still hold on to. Eating together lessens the risk of obesity, as you pay more attention to what you’re eating, and, according to the Mental Health Foundation, it’s good for your mental wellbeing, too.
you move more
And not just lunging for the Quality Street. Christmas shopping, putting up decorations and cooking mean we’re on our feet much more than usual. So how many cals do these burn*? ✱✱Christmas shopping 175 cals ✱✱Putting up decorations 156 cals ✱✱Cooking 152 cals ✱✱Carol singing 152 cals ✱✱Wrapping presents 120 cals ✱✱Making beds and tidying 93 cals ✱✱Washing up 57 cals ✱✱Kissing under the mistletoe 30 cals
you’re having more sex
A recent survey from online adult retailer lovehoney.co.uk found that two-thirds of couples have had sex while staying with relatives over Christmas. This festive friskiness can boost heart health, relieve stress and even make you look younger, thanks to the release of growth hormones, which make skin look more elastic.