BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
Love it or hate it, Christmas music is an inescapable part of the holiday season. For some, it’s a source of nostalgia and joy, while for others, hearing Jingle Bells for the hundredth time feels more like a test of patience. But what does science say about the impact of festive music on our mood and health? It turns out, your reaction to holiday tunes might reveal more than just your taste in music.
How holiday music affects the brain
Music has a unique ability to influence nearly every part of the brain, especially those related to memory and emotion. “When people listen to music they like, we find lots of interesting activity in the parts of the brain that deal with pleasure, emotion, and reward,” explains Robert Zatorre, Ph.D., chair of the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University.
While Zatorre’s studies haven’t focused specifically on festive music, his research shows that listening to music you enjoy can reduce stress and elevate your mood. “If someone is a fan of Christmas music, it could indeed have a positive physiological effect,” he adds.
Holiday tunes often have an uplifting structure that enhances these effects. “Christmas music is typically in a major key,” says Ronald Borczon, professor emeritus of music at California State University, Northridge. “Music in a major key is most often associated with positive feelings, compared to music in a minor key, which is linked to sadness.”
In fact, a Danish study from 2022 suggests that festive music may even lower blood pressure levels while boosting the “Christmas spirit.”
The healing power of nostalgia
Holiday music’s ability to evoke strong emotions often comes from its connection to cherished memories. Daniel J. Levitin, professor emeritus of psychology at McGill University, explains that the serotonin boost we get from nostalgic memories can help reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being.
A 2012 study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people actively revisit experiences—like listening to Christmas songs or watching favorite holiday movies—because they anticipate the same positive emotions they’ve felt before.
“When you hear Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, it can transport you to moments of childhood joy,” says Levitin. This is why we repeatedly watch Elf or listen to All I Want for Christmas Is You—we’re seeking that familiar sense of happiness and comfort.
When Christmas music backfires
But not everyone feels warm and fuzzy when Silent Night starts playing. For those who dislike Christmas music, the effects can be the opposite, Zatorre explains. “If people hate Christmas music, it could have a negative physiological impact instead.”
Even for fans, too much of a good thing can turn sour. “When music is played repetitively, it can go from pleasant to unpleasant—it crosses that threshold,” says Dean McKay, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Fordham University. Retailers take note: blasting Deck the Halls in October might do more harm than good.
McKay suggests that context matters. “If Christmas music is played within the North American societal boundaries of the day after Thanksgiving to the day after Christmas, most people associate it with the joyous mood of the season,” he says.
Finding your holiday groove
So, should you lean into the sounds of the season? That depends. If holiday music puts you in a good mood or helps you connect with fond memories, go ahead and press play. But if the tunes feel overwhelming or overplayed, don’t hesitate to turn them off—or at least take a break.
The key is balance. Whether you’re a Christmas Carol enthusiast or a holiday tune skeptic, tuning into what feels good for your mental health can help you navigate the season with more joy. As Borczon puts it, “Music is deeply personal, and how it affects you depends on your relationship with it.”
