Are Christmas songs good for the mood? Here are the positive effects and why certain catchphrases annoy us

Singing in a group, with family or friends, is part of Christmas traditions, and Christmas carols, including the current catchphrases, involve and excite just about everyone. Some people also perceive an improvement in mood: but is this really the case? A familiar tune might help to relax or cheer up, to control anxiety and stress, even in the grumpiest of Grinches. Unless that refrain becomes an annoying catchphrase that 'stays in the head' for days..

The benefits of music, even if only listened to, on mood and mental health are widely studied. Listening to melodies and appreciating lyrics is a positive stimulus for cognitive well-being from the earliest days of life. And many perceive music as a cure. The mechanisms behind the positive effects of choral singing are diverse and affect both mind and body. Consider, however, that most studies in this field collect impressions and stories reported by those who sing; they are, therefore, qualitative investigations. However, music, whether heard or sung, is associated with an improvement, albeit short-term, in quality of life. Among the benefits recorded: relaxation, reduced anxiety, increased self-awareness, improved adaptability, ability to combat stress. In the case of choral singing, positive influences on social relationships are often highlighted: it becomes easier to form bonds, empathise and avoid social isolation.

Singing, music in general, is believed to affect neurotransmitters and hormones: it increases levels of oxytocin (the social bonding hormone), immunoglobulin A (which strengthens the immune system) and endorphins (which generate feelings of well-being and happiness). Singing also seems to affect basic organic functions, such as deep breathing. It activates a kind of training that, in addition to the vocal cords, involves the cardiorespiratory system and its muscles. Singing together synchronises the breathing and, to some extent, the heart rhythms, and this facilitates positive emotional states, making one feel less anxious (including the performance anxiety of those who consider themselves out of tune). For this reason, choirs are often activated in therapy programmes for patients with depression and other mood disorders. A Danish research group tried to find the 'Christmas spirit' in MRI scans of the brain. There would, in fact, be certain brain areas that are more active in people who follow holiday traditions. This is, however, an issue that has not yet been fully explored. Christmas carols certainly possess a special charm, linked to the memory of magical, carefree moments in childhood. If they are songs learnt as children, the effect on mood is more pronounced than for songs without such a significant history or linked to more recent memories.

It's true: Christmas refrains easily turn into irritating catchphrases. This is the phenomenon that neuroscience and cognitive psychology call 'earworm'. The explanation lies once again in memory, which is strongest when rooted in the past, in childhood, when children become familiar with catchy, repetitive tunes. The festive atmosphere of Christmas can amplify this effect. After all, 'White Christmas', performed by many artists, is in the Guinness Book of Records as the best-selling song of all time. However, catchphrases also arise from the obsessive repetition of recent songs, especially if they go viral on TikTok and Instagram. Again, the brain involuntarily activates the attention circuit, fixating on certain musical fragments and linking them to memories and emotions.

The festive season is not a happy one for everyone. And certain melodies can become a trigger, a stimulus that involuntarily triggers painful memories. Trying, or trying again, to join in with a choir can be a good idea, also to keep the bad mood at bay that threatens to turn us into Grinches. After all, singing is an activity with no contraindications.