Our whole lives we’ve been told that the holidays are "the most wonderful time of the year" but have we ever thought about if that is actually true and if it is why? 

We tend to be more stressed during the holidays, with numerous events, family obligations, and making sure we get everything done before Santa gets here. Not to mention that the holiday season also ushers in colds, the flu, and likely other diseases - especially this year, additionally there is severely reduced daylight. But even with all this, an American Psychological Association study found that nearly 80% of people reported that they were positive and happy during the holidays. One explanation from a Washington Post article is that we tend to experience Holiday induced euphoria at this time of year. The article wouldn't go so far as to say the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but that there's pretty good evidence that the holidays are the least-miserable time of the year. 

Listen in for a discussion on why the holidays are so magical.

Drink of the Week: Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail

https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/holly-jolly-christmas-citrus-cocktail/

This episode is sponsored by Nickerson, a full-service branding, marketing, and PR and communications agency with team members in Boston, LA, Miami, and NYC. https://nickersoncos.com/

Julie Brown:

Website- ​https://juliebrownbd.com/

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LinkedIn- ​https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-brown-b6942817/

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Our entire lives.

We've been told that the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year.

But have we ever thought about like, is that actually true?

And if it is w Y.

Welcome to episode 72 of this shit works.

I am your host, Julie Brown.

And today we are discussing, is it the most wonderful time of the year?

Or is it just the least miserable?

This episode is sponsored by Nickerson.

A full service, branding, marketing PR and communications agency

with team members in Boston.

LA Miami and New York city.

Visit them.

At Nickerson C O s.com.

So.

Are the holidays really the most wonderful time of the year.

I mean, we tend to be more stressed during the holidays.

With numerous events.

Family obligations and making sure we get everything done before.

Santa gets here.

Not to mention that the holiday season also ushers in colds, the flu and likely

other diseases, especially this year.

Additionally, there is severely reduced daylight.

Currently.

My days are bookended by darkness.

I wake up in the dark and by the time I head home from work.

It's dark.

But even with all of this in American psychological association study

found that nearly 80% of people reported that they were positive

and happy during the holidays.

One explanation from a Washington post article is that we tend

to experience holiday induced euphoria at this time of year.

The article wouldn't go so far as to say the holidays are the most

wonderful time of the year, but.

That there's pretty good evidence that the holidays are the least

miserable time of the year.

So if the holidays are the least miserable time of the year, is there

a most miserable time of the year?

Well, yes.

According to studies done on Google searches for terms like

seasonal affective disorder.

Anxiety depression, stress and misery general malaise peaks in

March, which is fan fucking tastic because that's when my birthday is.

The reason for the March.

Malays is a bit of a mystery, as one would think that with temperatures

rising, And the day's getting longer.

The opposite would be true that we'd be getting happier, but we'll just keep

that for a different podcast episode.

Maybe in March.

Back to Christmas and the holiday season.

Even if it's not scientifically proven to be the most wonderful time of the year.

Nothing consistently captivates our attention year after year.

Like the holidays.

It is no doubt, a special time of year.

The holiday season signifies hopeful anticipation.

One is led to expect any number of miracles might happen

during the holiday season.

Making amends with people who have heard us family gatherings.

A special card from relatives or friends.

Uh, thoughtful, present from someone important or even a taste

of our favorite holiday food.

Some miracles are significant.

Perhaps life-changing while others are small, but no less life affirming.

Our minds are set on kind of emerging.

Voyage of hope and nostalgia.

From for me, it's the first whiff of the Christmas season.

That smell of pine or for some it's the first dusting of snow.

The lavish flavors of a Christmas cookie.

We're excited to hear the familiar charm or our favorite Christmas songs, as

well as discover some new ones, maybe.

The glitz and glam of presence as we I'm wrapped them.

How they crunch and they crinkle.

That's kind of satisfying.

The feeling when someone gives you a gift, just thinking that they have,

even for just a moment, thought about you and taken into consideration

what you might need or want.

Most of all, we look forward to giving, to surprising the people we

love with our own heartfelt gifts.

Every fiber of our being is hoping for a miracle to happen in the season.

This is the magic.

The holiday season brings.

This is why it's the most wonderful time of the year.

It doesn't stop there.

Christmas brings magic literally everywhere.

The streets transform into like winter wonderlands trees transform into

symbols of our Christmases past as we hang ornaments from years before.

Lawns and gardens getting on the glam with lights strung from one to another.

There are joy in these details.

There's also a fundamental sense of family and friends that seems to

spread around the world this time of year, our edges seem to doll.

And people are more likely to try to get along.

That might be the most magical part of Christmas.

It brings people together.

We get to have time to spend with family and friends.

Time to return to our truest values, focusing on the people

we love and care most about.

I was recently in New York city for a wedding and no one can say that New York

city doesn't know how to do Christmas.

Each storefront was a veritable pimp.

My building of Christmas decorations and lights.

Each street corner had a salvation army attendee, not only ringing

their bells, but with full on Christmas music to back them up.

Chris.

And I took our picture in front of the Rockefeller center tree.

And on the way home, we caught an impromptu Christmas

concert in front of St.

Patrick's cathedral.

It was indeed magical.

Did the street smell like piss?

Did I overhear one guy yelling at another to go fuck himself

right there on the sidewalk?

I sure did.

And all that stuff was still there, but it was magical.

Just the same.

So maybe the lesson going forward is to better acknowledge the small wonders

all year round and minimize the effects.

The less wonderful stuff has on us.

Are you ready for this episode's cocktail?

It's called the Holly jolly Christmas.

Citrus cocktail.

Lonza mouthful.

It's a mix of vodka.

St Germain and fresh squeezed winter citrus juices, which either.

You know, it would be like a Clementine or blood orange.

I love blood orange.

So that's what I used.

All of this stuff is mixed together.

And then top two with ginger beer.

And if you want to be extra festive, like pomegranate seeds.

Here's what you're going to need.

Two ounces of vodka.

Half ounce of St.

Germain.

A third of a cup of, fresh squeeze, Clementine, or blood orange juice,

and then ginger beer for topping.

And then, like I said, those pomegranate seeds for garnish.

So fill a cocktail glass with ice at the vodka elderflower liquor

and the Clementine juice top with ginger beer at the pomegranates.

And time or mint.

And that's it.

I'm wishing you the happiest holidays.

Thank you for being here and spending this time with me.

Until next week.