Music makes us feel. It’s powerful and affects everyone in a number of different ways. It evokes memories and all kinds of emotions. Sometimes, just by hearing one lyric, we can instantly be transported back to our youth and feel the same way we felt during that memorable moment in time. The holiday season, like music, often creates a feeling of nostalgia. The memories that we associate with holiday music are what create a sense of joyfulness and cheer throughout the season.
Music also has proven health benefits, including reduced anxiety and blood pressure, improved sleep quality, better mood, mental alertness, and memory, even and decreased depression. In fact, music therapy can enable those suffering from dementia to access vivid memories from when they were younger.
You can put this powerful tool into play by turning on one of the good ol’ holiday classics listed below. Who knows? Maybe one of these festive tunes will inspire a loved one to reminisce about their past holiday experiences, unlocking a story that can be passed down to future generations.
- “The Christmas Song,” Nat King Cole
- “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Brenda Lee
- “Run Rudolph Run,” Chuck Berry
- “Wonderful Christmastime,” Paul McCartney
- “White Christmas,” Bing Crosby
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Judy Garland
- “Jingle Bell Rock,” Bobby Helms
- “Frosty the Snowman,” Gene Autry
- “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” Frank Sinatra
- “Mele Kalikimaka,” Andrews Sisters
- “Jingle Bells,” Ella Fitzgerald
- “Santa Baby,” Eartha Kitt
- “Run, Rudolph, Run,” Chuck Berry
- “Sleigh Ride,” Johnny Mathis
- “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Andy Williams
- “Christmastime Is Here,” Vince Guaraldi Trio
Go ahead and play one…or two…or all of them! Share them with your friends and family, and you don’t even have to give us credit for pulling this list together. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the merry memories.