Christmas Music and Its Emotional Impact – The Holiday Edition of the Boca Raton Observer

If you’re humming along to the holiday If you’re listening to music while browsing stores this month, the reason may be more than just a catchy beat. Music can influence our well-being – a biological response that is proven by research. “There are so many benefits to listening to music. It improves our mood and regulates our emotions and nervous system,” says New York-based musician and music psychologist Brittany Anjou. “It has been used throughout history in spiritual practices, ceremonies and rituals. We know it improves our lives. The evidence is endless.”

How Christmas music affects you depends on your personal memories and holiday associations, especially those from childhood.

“There is also evidence that the music you experience from a young age into your teens stays with you for a lifetime,” Anjou adds. In fact, a study published in 2015 showed that familiar sounds are more likely to trigger vivid memories than almost any other sense, including familiar sights.

“If you have fond memories of the December holidays and certain holiday songs, listening to these songs can evoke that childlike feeling of positivity and take you right back to childhood,” says Dr. Samantha Saltz, executive director of Doctor Sam – Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist in Boca Raton.

Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, there’s “usually something magical about the holiday season,” Saltz says. “Many elements of Christmas music are culturally determined. This means that even if Christmas music is not part of your religion, it expresses a feeling of inclusion and connection. Most of us grew up listening to the same Christmas songs, so it’s nostalgic, familiar and promotes cultural connection.”

It helps that over the years, holiday music has moved away from traditional religious themes and is now moving more toward catchy, secular tunes. As billboard A 2022 report on Christmas music noted that most modern Christmas songs are filled with light-hearted or fictional images, such as Santa Claus and reindeer, and focus more on fun than belief.

Think of Mariah Carey’s hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” The song was released in 1994 and was featured on the soundtrack of the modern classic Christmas film “Love, Indeed.” It continues to break records, including the longest-running No. 1 Christmas song and a top spot billboard’s list of the 100 best Christmas songs of all time.

Of course there is also the downside. For those who have difficult memories of the holidays or feel melancholic during the holiday season, listening to Christmas carols can evoke negative emotions. “Ultimately, music is connected to memories. So if a sad memory comes up when you play a certain song – maybe someone died or something traumatic happened – that can of course trigger a feeling of sadness,” explains Saltz.

“If Christmas music causes such excitement,” says Saltz, “you can always turn it off.” Although you’ll probably encounter it at some point when you go to a store or mall.”

“This brings us to the two ways we perceive music,” explains Anjou. The first is the music we listen to, whether at home or at a performance. The second is the music we hear around us, often referred to as “pipe music,” played in elevators, supermarkets, and other public spaces.

The good news? “Christmas music can probably promote the Christmas spirit to some extent,” says Anjou. She cites a 2022 Danish study that examined whether Christmas music has the same calming effect as classical music, which is known to lower blood pressure and improve quality of life. Although the study only involved 10 participants, researchers observed a slight decrease in blood pressure and a slight improvement in mood. The study, published in the National Library of Medicine (NIH), concluded: “We recommend playing Christmas music throughout December to reduce stress and get us through the holiday season with healthy skin and good spirits.”

Here’s the not-so-good news: Christmas music isn’t necessarily healthy for your wallet. A 2005 Washington State University study found that consumers who were exposed to holiday music and seasonal scents like pine or cinnamon spent more than those who were not. This applies not just to Christmas music, but to all types of music in the consumer environment, says Anjou.

“Subconsciously, music signals to consumers that it’s time to shop. If a wine shop plays French music, it sells more wine. When an Italian restaurant plays Italian music, it sells more food. The list goes on. The point is that you sell more when a product is combined with music because psychologically it creates a mood. While Christmas music can potentially lower our blood pressure, it also encourages consumption.” In other words, if you want to stick to your budget, you should consider doing your Christmas shopping online from the comfort of your own home.

If you find Christmas songs irritating, you can simply change the radio station or leave the store. However, if you’re feeling the holiday blues or feeling isolated, Saltz recommends getting acquainted with holiday music by joining a carol group, choir or holiday sing-along. “Humans are social creatures by nature,” explains Saltz. “Music gives people the opportunity to connect through lyrics and gives them a sense of belonging.”

“When you’re feeling depressed or withdrawn, you want to engage in something called ‘opposite action,'” Saltz continues. “If you want to be alone, do the opposite. Encourage yourself to go out and be with people. Joining a choir, attending a church service, or singing with people can provide a sense of community and camaraderie and help us feel more connected and less alone.”

Fresh tunes for the festive season

• Kelly Clarkson’s “You for Christmas”

While Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has topped the charts for the past two decades, Kelly Clarkson’s 2024 single “You For Christmas” gives her a decent run for her money. The upbeat, upbeat tune arrives in September and is sure to become a modern holiday favorite.

• Frank Sinatra’s “Ultimate Christmas”

A collection of Ol’ Blue Eyes’ Christmas classics was re-released in a double album collection entitled “Ultimate Christmas”, which includes songs such as “Silent Night”, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The First Noel”.

• “Holiday Seasoning” by Jimmy Fallon

Everyone’s favorite evening host has released Holiday Seasoning, an album of light-hearted holiday singles featuring Fallon and various A-list collaborators like the Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake and comedian Will Ferrell.

• SiriusXM’s Radio Hanukkah

If you’re on the go, tune in to SiriusXM’s Radio Hanukkah. The annual seasonal station performs traditional, contemporary and children’s Hanukkah songs, as well as reflections and retellings of the Hanukkah story.

• “Kid At Christmas” by Calum Scott and Christina Perri

Just in time for holiday preparations, this enchanting track – co-written by the talented duo – combines nostalgia with the magic of the season, viewed through the eyes of adulthood. Its upbeat melody and heartfelt lyrics encourage listeners to rediscover their inner child and remind us all that it’s never too late to enjoy the joys and wonders of Christmas.