This article was originally published in Business Insider.

  • Christmas is strongly linked to nostalgia, which can lead to powerful emotions.
  • Christmas songs may be written in a certain way to trigger feelings of sadness.
  • Connecting with those negative emotions can have a positive effect on your wellbeing.


    “White Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “All I Want for Christmas,” they all reduce me to tears, every year, and I’m not the only one. A quick Google reveals many people feel sad when they hear Christmas carols or a classic Christmas tune.

    Experts say those festive feels can be good for our mental health, but why does Christmas music have this effect?