Diwali rangoli and Christmas Tree: How festive décor boosts mental well-being

You carefully hand the bright marigold garlands and mango leaves to your sister. As she strings them, the scents of the fresh flowers fill the doorways. As you walk past the kitchen, your mum calls you. “Taste this halwa,” she says feeding you, even before you could respond to it. Your eyes brighten, and before you can dig another spoon, she gently nudges you, “Now go give a hand to your dad, he is hanging the rice lights in the drawing room.” You find your dad struggling to untangle the lights. He raises his hands in a gesture of surrender, as he sees you approaching him. He could really use a little help. Your sister starts to draw the outline for the rangoli. Her eyes sparkle as a soft glow from the lantern you switched on fills the room.

Did picturing this lift your spirits? Well, this is exactly how festive decor could boost your mood!

From the Diwali lanterns and rangoli to the Christmas trees and lights, specific decorations have been part of different cultures, and studies have proved that it has a positive effect on your mental health.

Psychologist and author Deborah Serani told CNN that the festive lights, colours, and music has the ability to boost mental health and mood. She stated that humans habituate, and get used to the setting they are currently in, however, when we introduce new things into our environment, it stimulates the senses. Introducing new color, lights, sounds, and music will make you feel good.

A study conducted by the Swiss National Science Foundation supports the theory that physical exposure to color can reduce stress and anxiety. Researchers conducted two studies involving over 60 participants and used color therapy to measure the effects on stress and anxiety. Comparing scores from before and after, they saw a decrease in both stress and anxiety levels.

The festive decor also evokes nostalgia. The fond memories of the holiday season would kick in and those happy memories will lift your mood. Similarly, the Christmas season, brings in a lot of joy. Talking to Well+Good, Neha Chaudhary, MD, double board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital observed how the dark days of winter could give people the winter blues - 'Seasonal Affective disorder', and hanging ornaments and lights during this time, can lift the mood.

According to research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, festive decor also has an impact on sociability. When people in a residential area see homes decorated during the festive season, they view them as approachable and social.

These days, people often start putting out holiday decorations early, and it indeed has a great impact on one's mental well-being. During the festive season, when you start decorating and this makes to tend to 'act happy', which would eventually make you cheery. This idea is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy. You might have heard a therapist encouraging you to 'act as if'.

So, what are you waiting for hang those lanterns, light the diya, and put out those spooky carved pumpkins and lights. Let the holiday season begin!