According to experts, watching holiday movies can boost mental health

We know how the movie ends. We can even quote every single line, yet we look forward to watching Christmas movies every year, and that’s a good thing according to experts.

Christmas movies are designed to activate nostalgia, transporting viewers back to simpler times through familiar stories and music.

“Nostalgia is that warm emotion linked with a memory,” Dr. Susan Albers of the Cleveland Clinic said. “It’s often described as bittersweet, a combination of feeling joy and longing for the past.”

These films can boost serotonin levels in the brain, triggering feelings of happiness, Albers said. The predictability of holiday movies, which typically feature fairytale endings, also helps relax the brain by providing recognizable patterns. The predictable, non-stressful nature of holiday movies can improve mood and deliver comfort during what is often a hectic time of year.

Cozying up by the fireplace to watch your favorite film each year can be a great family bonding experience as well. But, once the holiday movie marathons are over, doctors encourage people to continue looking for other ways to spark joy this time of year – even amid the colder weather.

“Keeping up with our hobbies and finding new things to do in the wintertime is important. For example, I love to golf. While I can’t really play golf outside in the wintertime, I can instead play simulated golf inside.”

If you do start struggling with something like seasonal depression after the holidays, help is available.

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