Putting your Christmas decorations up early makes you a happier person, says psychologist

11 November 2022, 13:24

One psychologist says embracing the magical month of December can make you happier. Picture: Getty

By Alice Dear

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It may only be November, but people are already putting their Christmas decorations up in order to get into the festive mood.

Christmas is just around the corner, and while a lot of people won't be getting in the festive mood until December arrives, others are already shopping, putting decorations up and listening to Christmas songs.

Even the Christmas adverts have arrived early this year, with John Lewis sharing their heartwarming ad this week and Disney the week before.

Now, if you're one of those people that looks forward to Christmas all year round, we're sure you've already got your tree up – or are planning to do it very soon.

Listen now on Global Player: Heart Xmas brings you all the best festive songs

And while some may judge you, an expert has come out and revealed that those people who put their Christmas decorations up early are actually happier than others.

Getting into the festive spirit can do wonders for your mental health. Picture: Getty

Psychoanalyst Steve McKeown claims many people enjoy the process of adorning their home with twinkling fairy lights, trees, tinsel and snowmen because it's a "nostalgic" process.

It also works wonders for some people's mental health as Christmas reminds them of happy childhood times.

The expert told Unilad: "Although there could be a number of symptomatic reasons why someone would want to obsessively put up decorations early, most commonly for nostalgic reasons either to relive the magic or to compensate for past neglect.

"In a world full of stress and anxiety people like to associate to things that make them happy and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of the childhood.