The seasons have changed and snow is falling again. That can only mean one thing: the holiday season has arrived! If you’re anything like my family, holiday music is an important part of your yearly celebrations!

Between school concerts, seasonal community events, religious ceremonies, and those holiday hits coming in over the radio, the holiday season is busting with musical opportunities. That’s why today we’re going to discuss the physical and emotional benefits you can get from taking part in music during the busy holiday season!

Music can be a powerful source of comfort, peace, and connection between family and friends. It helps to promote development in infants and young children, helps families bond across generations and tastes, and stimulates the areas of the brain connected to motivation, reward, and emotion.

With all that in mind, here are five reasons to make music with your family and friends this holiday season.

Holiday Music Helps Create (and Recall) Powerful Memories

One of the universal truths of music is that it can spark powerful memories. As an important part many treasured holiday family traditions, those memories can be very happy indeed!

From singing along together as you decorate the tree, to holiday parties or religious celebrations, music can help create memories and bonds with your extended family and friends; bonds that you can look back fondly on for years to come. This year, make a new musical tradition: pick a favourite holiday tune and sing it together on the way to your holiday celebrations. Then do it again next year!

The Great Stress Reliever

No one will argue with the notion that the holidays can be a very stressful time. But singing is a great way to relieve that stress! Countless studies have shown that singing has the power to slow down heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduce the amount of stress hormones flowing through our bodies. In fact, making-or even just listening to music-can actually increase dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that stimulates the brain’s reward center and makes us feel good.

So, make sure that radio is playing and you’re singing along with it as you navigate those frustrating parking lots or setting up the house for guests. Not only will it help put you in a good mood for the season, it also helps show the younger members of your family how to deal with the stress of everyday life.

Holiday Music Connects Us

Let’s face it, for many people the holidays are a lonely time. Singing, especially in groups, and even more so with those close to you, can help relieve this loneliness. This is because it helps us connect with others in a way that no other activity can.

Researchers looking at the brain have shown that music-making, as a shared experience, can help activate and synchronize similar neural connections among all those participating. It literally makes us all think the same thing at the same time. This connection can create feelings of empathy and shared intention. This, in turn, helps with positive social interactions and bonding. When you sing with others this holiday season, whether it be at a family gathering, a religious ceremony, or a zoom chat, everyone benefits!

Singing is Intergenerational

One of the reasons music has become such an ingrained part of our holiday festivities is that it crosses generational divides easily. That makes it a great way to connect and create ties with family members of all ages! What’s more, music actually supports the aging process. As we grow older, musical activities help keep the brain active and engaged, while also supporting physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.

Sharing memories of holiday music from their own youth, and passing those songs on the future generations, can be a happy experience for both the older storyteller and the younger generation forming their own life-long memories.

Making Music Helps Childhood Development

One of the most well-documented aspects of music is the incredible impact it has on young, developing minds. Music helps to stimulate social, physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Additionally, it builds language and concentration skills, confidence, and self-esteem.

During a child’s earliest years, actively engaging with music can help promote brain development. Music learning, in fact, supports all learning! One of the best ways to support your child’s development during the holiday season and throughout the year is simply to sing along with them to your favourite carols in the car, vibe to your holiday playlists, or attend a holiday concert or musical!

The magic of music shines throughout the entire year, but the holiday season will always be a special time for music among families!

Are you hoping to give, or receive, the gift of music this holiday season? Look no further than the professional instructors at The Music Studio! We offer programs for all ages and skill levels, many now available online. Check them out and sign up today