The Christmas It is a time that cannot be compared with any other time of the year. It can be both a moment of stress like relaxation and joy. This festival is characterized by family gatherings, shopping and numerous preparations. Each of these facets can positively and negatively affect the brain. I know the details of each one.
What are the effects of Christmas on the brain?
festive spirit
A study carried out by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, Denmarkshowed that during this time dopamine and serotonin increase in the brain, chemicals that affect our levels of happiness.
The dopamine is related to behavior driven by reward and the search for pleasureand serotonin is believed to increase our feelings of belonging.
Stress
Not everyone considers that Christmas It is a joyful and festive event. In fact, many people find it very stressful. This is generated by the burden from having to cook for many people, search for and buy gifts at times when establishments are full of people, or prepare the house to receive guests.
He stress can exert a physical response in the body, with the automatic release of adrenaline and cortisol. Always keeping in mind that the cortisol has a profound effect on the hippocampuswhat can decrease memory and ability to multitask.
Sadness at Christmas.jpg
Mood changes
Another of the most characteristic processes of Christmas in the brain is the experimentation of mood changes. There are people who feel a great joy when they meet with their families or deliver Christmas gifts, but after a few days they may feel sad. This fact is a consequence of what is called seasonal affective disorder: people who suffer from it during Christmas notice certain symptoms similar to those of depression.
Gifts
Give and take gifts is a christmas tradition. In this case, the generosity is related to the reward circuits of our brain, which causes the release of dopamine and endorphins. This effect can reduce stress.
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Pixabay
Social links
The Christmas experience involves sitting around a table with your loved ones. These meetings significantly benefit the brain.
The social relationships increase the cognitive reservesallowing prevent diseases As the Alzheimer’s. Likewise, the stress and the depression It is more common in people who do not make daily plans with other individuals.
Overfeeding
Overeating stimulates an inactive area between hypothalamus and the immune systemTherefore, it is common to feel unwell after having eaten a large amount of food. Furthermore, consume copious amounts of sugar is harmful for the brain, causing cognitive function to slow down, which causes a deficits in memory and attention.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
