Whether it’s a birthday, a graduation, or a job promotion, we all enjoy commemorating and celebrating significant life events. But did you know that these celebrations can actually improve our health and wellbeing?
Recent research on the advantages of celebrations has been published in the Journal of Public Policy and Marketing.
According to the study, celebrations should include three essential elements: a get-together with others, food and drink, and the recognition of a significant milestone.
These gatherings strengthen social support, giving attendees a sense of belonging and comfort during difficult times.
The social component of celebrations, according to lead author Danielle Brick, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Connecticut, is what makes them so beneficial.
“Buying yourself a congratulatory gift to celebrate an accomplishment just isn’t the same as celebrating with a dinner and drinks with friends,” she stated.
Celebrations need only mark a happy life event and involve sharing food or beverages with others in order to be effective.
So keep in mind that celebrating special occasions is not only a fun way to mark the occasion, but also beneficial to your health the next time you’re thinking about doing so.
Celebrate the good times and strengthen your social support network, whether it’s at a dinner party with friends or a casual get-together.
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Beneficial Effects
A number of studies were conducted by the researchers to investigate the connection between celebrations and perceived social support.
The results showed that the three components of celebrations, as mentioned earlier – gathering with other people, having food and drink, and highlighting an important milestone – are key to building perceptions of social support.
The study participants who had the opportunity to celebrate their positive life events with others, had food and drink, and marked their milestones, reported higher levels of perceived social support compared to those who didn’t celebrate.
Researchers also found that the size and type of celebration, such as whether it was a small gathering of dear friends or a large, more formal event, didn’t matter as much as the presence of these three components.
So, researchers concluded that celebrations are a crucial way for people to build their perceptions of social support, which in turn has a positive impact on their health and well-being.
The study’s findings provide important insight into how people can maintain and strengthen their social networks, which can be particularly beneficial for those who are struggling with loneliness or other social problems.
The next time you’re looking for a reason to throw a party, remember that it might just be what the doctor ordered.
Celebrations, no matter how big or small, can have a huge impact on our perceptions of social support and overall health and well-being. So go ahead, gather your friends and family, have some food and drinks, and celebrate your positive life events. Your health will thank you.
Moments in Life that Counts
However, despite this limitation, the study provides valuable insights into the impact of celebrations on our health and well-being.
By gathering with friends and family, and sharing food and drinks, we can increase our perceptions of social support and reap the associated health benefits.
Whether it’s a virtual get-together or an in-person celebration, marking positive life events with food and drink can play a crucial role in our overall health and happiness.
It’s also important to note that celebrations don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. As long as they involve the three key components, a simple dinner or virtual chat with friends can have a positive impact.
Celebrations provide us with the opportunity to strengthen our relationships, acknowledge our achievements and milestones, and support one another. So, the next time you’re looking for an excuse to throw a party, remember that it might just be what the doctor ordered.
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Connects Communities
The findings of the recent research on the benefits of celebrations also have some practical applications for policymakers, according to Brick. With the restrictions imposed during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were unable to gather with others and celebrate.
This research highlights the negative impact of limiting celebrations and suggests that policymakers should consider ways to enable people to celebrate with others.
Nursing homes and community centers can also benefit from hosting celebrations for those who are at risk of loneliness and isolation.
Celebrations can help increase feelings of social support and lead people to be more willing to volunteer or donate to a cause, which can benefit fundraising and the organization of community events.
This is a good opportunity for non-profit organizations to market donation campaigns around big events such as holidays, graduations, weddings, and other special milestones.
The recent research on celebrations highlights the importance of gathering with others, having food and drink, and acknowledging a life event in improving social support and overall well-being.
Policymakers and community organizations can use this information to create positive outcomes for people and communities.
Photo: Apis
