Expert Says People Who Put Up Christmas Trees Early Are Happy

If you are one of those who are still thinking how to convince your roommate or your family that it’s not too early to deck the halls with boughs of holly for another year then here is the reason you can tell them. According to psychologist people who put their Christmas decorations up early are much happier than those who wait.

Yes, if you are feeling too excited to dust off the tinsel and plug in the fairy lights, then probably he happy that your inner child is still alive to spark in the joy.

Experts say propping your decorations kits before the actual celebration day actually makes you feel happier by reminding you of your childhood, days when you had nothing to deal with, no responsibilities and stresses of being an adult.

“Although there could be a number of symptomatic reasons why someone would wish to obsessively put up decorations early, most commonly for the nostalgic reasons either to relive the magic or to compensate for the past neglect,” Steve McKeown, Psychoanalyst, founder of MindFixers and the owner of The McKeown Clinic, revealed to the British website UNILAD.

“In a world full of stress and anxiety people want to associate with things that make them happy and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feeling of the childhood.

“Decorations are simply an anchor or a pathway to those old childhood magical emotions of excitement. Hence putting up those Christmas decorations early extends the excitement!”

Decorating your home not only fill you with the festive joy, but it can also help you bond with your neighbors.

A recent research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology says that decorating the exterior of your house can make you appear more friendly.

While some people, feel sad or depressed when they put up Christmas decorations because it brings back those old memories of good times with their loved ones who have passed away.

“Perhaps the holidays serve as a reminder of when a loved one was still alive,” Amy Morin, psychotherapist told UNILAD.

“Or maybe looking at the Christmas tree reminds someone of what life was like when they still believed in Santa.

“For people who have lost their loved one, the holidays may serve as a reminder of happy times they had with that person in the past. Decorating early can help them feel more connected to that individual.”

And if you are among one of those who fall in the latter group, then psychologist and happiness expert Elizabeth Lombardo has as a valuable tip for you: “Start a new tradition,” she told TODAY Home. “Whether it’s going away, seeing a movie as a family, volunteering. It creates a new association.” The next time the holidays roll around, you’ll subconsciously connect that time of the year with your newer, happier memories.

Another good thing about early decoration is that decoration can lift up your mood says Psychologist Deborah Serani.

“It helps to create that neurological shift that can produce happiness,” she told. “I think anything that takes us out of our normal routine, the normal day in, day out … signals our senses, and then our senses measure if it’s pleasing or not.”

“Christmas decorating will spike dopamine, a feel-good hormone,” she added.

But what exactly happens with Christmas decorations that trigger our happy hormones? Serani says it’s the bright lights and colors that casts its magic on us. Chromotherapy, also known as color therapy, is thought to increase the energy levels and boosts our joy and happiness. Or perhaps it’s just the ambiance in the first place that plays the role — who can resist smiling when they see a Christmas tree is lit for the first time?

Neuro-architecture is a new scientific field, that devotes itself to the understanding how our designed environments affect behavior.

So if you are thinking of post-Thanksgiving plans which include shopping for a Christmas tree, then be assured that this time no one will judge you. In fact, there is a good chance that a lot of people will be right behind you!