The reasons for your choice not to drink this holiday season are personal and valid, no matter what they are. Whether you stay sober all year or are just taking a break in December, you’re probably encountering several holiday events that challenge your ability to celebrate with just your true self and a goofy sweater. Scrooge encountered three spirits, but none were the Ghost of Christmas Small Talk. To steer clear of discomfort, you might feel like staying home instead. “It’s great to snuggle up on the couch,” said Elizabeth Dunn, a happiness researcher and psychology professor at the University of British Columbia. However, she noted that we often fail to recognize just how pleasurable it is to go out and engage in conversations with others. “We are beings who thrive on social connections,” she stated. “The top factor that predicts happiness is the sense of social connection.” These connections don’t need to be significant or enduring to boost your mood.
