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How To Feel Your Best When Decorating This Holiday Season


Part of the fun of the holidays is decorating. Many of us enjoy going all out and decorating everything outside and inside the house. Others of us prefer to only put up a few decorations. Whether you want your house to look like the Griswold’s or if you prefer a more understated look, the materials and money you use to decorate your home matter. Here is why you should keep wellness in mind when you decorate for the holidays.

>>> Decorating Makes You Happier

There is something special about putting up a Christmas tree or wrapping presents. When you decorate, you feel happier and science is showing that this is not a made-up feeling. Most people feel happier and more relaxed when they decorate for the holidays. This is because dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel pleasure, is released when you decorate. This is more likely to occur if you have positive childhood associations with winter holidays. If decorating makes you feel sad or angry, then it is perfectly okay to skip this tradition.

>>> De-clutter Your Decorations

You have probably been accumulating decorations for years. It’s easy to pick up a few things here or there and then find yourself with more decorations than you know what to do with. Go through your decorations and get rid of the ones that no longer have any meaning to you. Some of them may be things you grabbed on sale or from a former friend or partner. If so, let go of the decorations that do not serve you. You should feel calm and relaxed when you looked at your décor.

>>> Set a Budget

If you don’t have an abundance of decorations or have already de-cluttered, set a budget for buying new decorations. It is very easy to go overboard! However, as cute as that homemade sled is, is it really worth the expensive price tag? Remember all of the other costs of the holidays – gifts, meals, and charitable giving. Keep yourself within budget so you can stress less come January. One way to help you budget is to limit yourself to only one or two new decorations a year.

>>> Look for Natural Decorations

Once you have de-cluttered and set your budget, you are ready to start buying. Instead of buying plastic decorations that can be found at big box stores, go for decorations that are made from wood or yarn. It’s even better if they don’t have a lot of unhealthy paints and materials! Natural materials will help you feel more grounded and calmer. This could also be the year that you let go of your plastic tree and get a real tree. Your home will smell better and have more oxygen, making you feel happier and healthier.

Decorating for the holidays can be a fun tradition for you and your family. However, you can make changes so that you feel your best when decorating. Put as many or as few decorations up that you want. When you do, try to keep them from cluttering your house and replace older décor with more natural, homemade decorations. These will make your home feel more peaceful and calmer. That is a great way to start off the holiday season!

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