The holiday season has long been called &lsquo;the most wonderful time of the year,&rsquo; and that has a lot to do with Christmas cheer.

If you think you&rsquo;re seeing more smiles, friendly faces, and generosity this time of year &ndash; it&rsquo;s not in your head, but there is head science behind it!

<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h6266" target="_blank">Research </a>has shown that thinking about Christmas can positively affect brain activity. In a study run by the University of Denmark, people were shown images with either a Christmas or non-Christmas theme while having their brain activity monitored. When participants saw Christmas-themed photos, a network of brain regions lit up (like a Christmas tree), leading the researchers to believe they found the hub for Christmas cheer inside the human brain.

Looking at pictures isn&rsquo;t the only way to spark that holiday happiness!

Ideas:
<ul>
 <li>Listen to holiday music: Those bops can make you feel nostalgic, bringing up joyous memories of years past. This can reduce stress and improve your mood as it shifts your attention to the good experiences you&rsquo;ve had in your life.
 </li>
 <li>Decorate early: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.today.com/health/decorating-christmas-early-makes-you-happier-science-says-t119186" target="_blank">Studies </a>have shown that putting the lights and decorations up early can spike dopamine, a feel-good hormone.
 </li>
 <li>Cook &amp; bake: Smell is the most powerful sense to trigger memories. If you have happy memories in the kitchen surrounded by family &ndash; get the aromas going! The smell (and taste) of those gingerbread cookies can bring you joy.
 </li>
</ul>
Please note that these suggestions may not work for everyone. It&rsquo;s important to remember that the most wonderful time of the year for some can be the most difficult time for others.
For steps you can take to manage stress and prioritize your mental health during holidays, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.azblue.com/inspire-health/blog/holiday-blues">How to Handle Holiday Blues and Stress the Healthy Way (azblue.com)</a>
At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, we want to provide a Blueprint for Happiness, because happiness is part of your health. Happiness leads to healthier behaviors like being active and eating nutritious food. Check out our <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.facebook.com/bcbsaz" target="_blank">social </a><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/BCBSAZ" target="_blank">media </a><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bcbsaz" target="_blank">channels </a>and blog on the first Friday of every month for tips on sparking more joy and happiness in your life! 😊

Blueprint for Happiness: Enjoy the Season of Joy

Excited Grandchildren Greeting Grandparents With Presents Visiting On Christmas Day

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