It’s time to curl up under a blanket with a hot drink and watch your favorite Christmas movie.
That’s it, the month of December has begun and with it the resumption of the sweet comforting activities of those who celebrate Christmas. On the agenda are decorating the tree, shopping for gifts and of course, watching classic but timeless Christmas films. We love them and there are several psychological reasons for this.
No one will say otherwise, Christmas films are often stereotypical, predictable and even sometimes cheesy. But this predictability gives them a feeling of comfort that makes up for the “stress, family pressure and gloominess due to shorter days and lack of sunlight. An evening spent watching a feel-good movie can be an easy, inexpensive and rewarding form of self-care”argues Pam Rutledge, American researcher in psychology, in a article from Fielding Graduate University. “The predictability of the plots and characters of Christmas movies is part of the appeal.” Indeed, our brain finds comfort in patterns.
When we see a happy, predictable ending, it stimulates our neural reward center. “When characters resemble old friends and settings resemble familiar places, these parasocial connections trigger the warm, oxytocin-induced feelings of real-life social experience.” Christmas movies would even “good for the heart because they reduce stress hormones like cortisol that can damage the cardiovascular and immune systems” continues the researcher.
Screenwriting processes also have effects on the brain. The psychology researcher relies on a study Danish publication published in 2015. Researchers showed that watching Christmas movies activates the somatosensory cortex, the premotor cortex and the parietal lobules, areas that play a role in spirituality (which researchers associate with “the spirit of Christmas” editor’s note), the recognition of emotions and joyful memories. Thus, they help improve mood by arousing positive emotions and rekindling happy memories linked to Christmas.
Because it is nostalgia that is often at the heart of our love for these films. “They tap into our desire to return to the “good old days” with images, stories and music that stimulate our sentimental and melancholic associations of the past. Christmas movies remind us of times in our lives that were simple, hopeful, fun and happy.”continues Pam Rutledge. A hypothesis shared by study American published in 2019 which advances the idea that nostalgia recalls happy moments or much-loved traditions and that it can boost morale. Researchers also say that nostalgia can boost optimism and self-esteem.
On the other hand, the positive effects of Christmas films do not come out of nowhere. To love Christmas films, you must already have an affection for this holiday. The Danish researchers explain that the positive impact of Christmas films on an individual will depend on the person’s affinity for Christmas traditions, those who are not attached to them may not experience the same effects.