Hate hearing Christmas songs before the holiday season? You’re not alone, Scrooge.
In fact, it’s both common and quite normal to be annoyed when “Jingle Bells,” or any one of the other merry-making melodies associated with Christmas, begin blaring through your speakers too far ahead of Dec. 25, according to clinical psychologist Linda Blair.
She told Sky News hearing Christmas songs too early can be hazardous to a person’s mental health.
Blair explained that the songs often serve as a reminder of the many things left undone as the holidays approach, leaving reluctant listeners stressed about gifts they’ve not yet purchased, menu planning that must be done, caterers that need to be hired, travel that’s yet to be organized and more.
Kansas town holds Christmas in September for boy with cancer
“You’re simply spending all of your energy trying not to hear what you’re hearing,” she told Sky News.
She went on to say that store clerks run the highest risk of being worn down by joyful holiday jingles, which often play all day long in retail spaces and leave them fighting to “tune it out” and “unable to focus on anything else.”
Thing pre-Thanksgiving is too early for Christmas music? You’re not alone.
(skynesher/Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“Christmas music is likely to irritate people if it’s played too loudly and too early,” Blair explained.
Year after year retailers rush to break out Christmas decorations and holiday-themed advertisements, putting consumers in the holiday spending spirit. This phenomena is known as the Christmas Creep and gets a little earlier each year.
Mariah Carey slapped with suit by choir she cut from concert
A recent study conducted by the Tampa Bay Times found that some retailers had begun spreading Christmas cheer as early as Oct. 22.
While retailers seem to subscribe to the thinking that earlier is better, Danny Turner, a programming executive with Mood Media, told the publication he advises retailers to be careful what music they opt to play.
Turner said he warns against the use of novelty and repetitive songs, citing “The 12 Days of Christmas” as an example.
“The one I have in mind is ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’…Once I’m at the third day, I’m counting how many days are left. You don’t want any songs that feel like they last for 12 days,” he said.
Tags: music christmas holidays mental health Send a Letter to the Editor Join the Conversation: facebook Tweet
Article source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/christmas-music-hurting-mental-health-article-1.3621856