My Happiness Coach

No matter what you are celebrating, it’s a magical time of the year. The snow is falling in the east coast & we are decorating our house for Christmas, as the Hanukkah decorations come down.

There is something about the magic of the holidays that brings out the child-like sense of wonder in us. The lights shine in our eyes as we unwrap our presents with soft music in the background & the smell of a holiday meal cooking in the air. It is no wonder that we find it so much easier to tap into that sense of wonder with all of our senses being stimulated at the same time.

When we let ourselves drift back in time, to our childhood when times where easier, the holidays are magical for everyone. Being around loved one, whether family or close friends, during the holidays, can bring back memories of when we were younger.

Why is child-like wonder important?

As, children we look at the world from such a different point of view than when we are adults. Children see a world full of endless possibilities. They are curious & find it easy to explore the world around them. They also find it easier to make new friends everywhere they go.

Watch any child during the holidays & you will see wide eyes, hungry tummies, & excitement all around. But as an adult, we have responsibilities: bills to pay, houses to clean, & dinners to cook. That doesn’t even scratch the surface during the holidays, as we add buying gifts, wrapping gifts, sending holiday cards, making sure to spend quality time with the family, & making holiday treats.

It’s not hard to see where the disconnection between experiencing the holidays as a child & as an adult.

Bringing back child-like wonder to your holidays!

It will take some specific action-steps to bring back your child-like wonder for the holidays. All you need to do is work through your senses & enjoy every part of your holiday celebrations. But be warned, once you start reigniting memories of holidays as a child, you won’t want to stop.

Let’s start with sight…

They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. This usually means that you can see into someones soul through their eyes, but windows go both ways (right!?!). What is your soul looking out at? Is it all screen-time & responsibilities? Or are you making an effort each day to bring beauty into your life?

You might notice, if you take the time, that this time of the year is full of lights & a visual buffet of holiday cheer. Lights are hung everywhere (with care, of course). Gifts are beautifully wrapped with ribbons & bows. Windows are decorate with more lights & holiday scenes. Tables are set with knick-knacks & holiday bobbles. Trees are decorated with even more lights & candles are lit to celebrate.

Next come smell…

Your olfactory system is unique in its placement. The receptors for smell are directly connected to the amygdala and hippocampus. What that means is that by bi-passing the thalamus, the brain gets an unprocessed signal from smells. Olfactory memory is real (look it up, I did) & it means that because of all the physical science your nose is a gateway to memories & emotions.

When you smell cookies baking it triggers more than hunger pains & watery mouths, these holiday smells can transport you to when your child-like wonder was simply holiday wonder. The smells of warm apple cider, fresh Christmas trees, & even snow can bring you back to the peace & excitement of winter as a child.

Naturally taste comes next…

Taste is also interesting from a physiological standpoint. Since your nose and mouth are connected through the same airway, your sense of smell & taste are deeply connected. Taste buds are primed & ready for the delicious feasts that many have around the holidays, including those delicious holiday cookies. Not to mention hot chocolate, egg nog, latkes, & collards.

Sound is all around…

Nothing says Christmas like a carol, or Hanukkah like the dreidel song, or Kwanzaa like African drums. Music brings joy. Just try singing when you are sad. You activate your memory directly through music. It can bring up all sorts of memories & emotions.

It’s hard to get away from the sounds of the holidays, too. You hear holiday music played on the radio, social media (if you could only see my TikTok feed), & even in stores. These are songs that just about everyone knows & its really hard to stop yourself from singing along to your favorites (even in the middle of the store).

We can’t forget the sense of touch…

The physically feeling of the holiday means something different for each of us. Some like the feeling of snow falling on their face. Others like the cozy feeling of a warm fire or yule log. While for some the holidays are celebrated in shorts, on the beach. But, there is one touch that transcends them all. That is human touch.

The holidays are a time for family & friends. I find myself giving out more hugs & kisses during the month of December than any other time of the year. The physical touch of others is necessary for human health & wellness.

As we are all celebrating the holidays in our own ways, with our own traditions, remember that this sense of child-like wonder can be felt all year ’round.