Social holidays improve the overall life satisfaction of holidaymakers, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland.
Findings suggested that social holidays can also boost one’s satisfaction with the quantity and quality of their leisure time and social life.
In the study titled “Re-evaluating well-being outcomes of social tourism: Evidence from Finland,” the researchers examined the impact of social holidays on holidaymakers' subjective well-being and experience of inclusion.
Social holidays are holidays that are given to disadvantaged persons or families typically on economic, social, or health-related grounds.
Countries fund social holidays differently, and in Finland, they are aided by revenues from the state-owned gambling game company, Veikkaus.
"It is possible that going on a holiday away from home makes people look at their life in a more positive light, which may be reflected on our results. Social holidays are all-inclusive and not having to buy groceries can have a very concrete effect on some holidaymakers' financial situation," Project Researcher Elli Vento from the University of Eastern Finland says.
Moreover, the team revealed that social holidays could empower feelings of equality among families with children. Initial studies suggested that disadvantaged parents acknowledge the fact that their children are missing out on things that their peers are experiencing.
"Going on a holiday away from home is, in itself, a very unequal phenomenon. This is often illustrated by examples of children sharing their holidays memories in school. Some children may have traveled abroad and visited theme parks, whereas others don't necessarily have anything to say about their holiday: they've simply stayed home without any possibility for activities typically associated with holidays," Vento says.
The research examined the subjective well-being and experience of inclusion of 299 Finnish respondents who had been chosen for a social holiday. They were monitored both before and after their holiday.
The study involved a control group of 72 respondents whose application for a social holiday had not been approved and who had not experienced a holiday away from home at their own expense during the review period.
Grief during the holidays
Not everyone will experience merrymaking this holiday season for some people who have lost their loved ones this year.
"The holidays are going to underscore the loss," psychologist Therese Rando, the clinical director of The Institute for the Study and Treatment of Loss in Rhode Island, told CNN. "So just by definition, the loss of a loved one is going to be taking out one of the elements that's supposed to make the holidays so good."
Memories and longing would make the holiday season difficult for those who are still mourning.
"We've sort of marginalized the holidays, and we've set this expectation that we should have this celebratory attitude," said psychologist Sherry Cormier, a bereavement trauma specialist, consultant and author of "Sweet Sorrow: Finding Enduring Wholeness After Loss and Grief."
This year, "that notion is really challenged because during the pandemic we all have lost something even if we haven't lost someone."
People are encouraged to make something symbolic during the holiday season, like lighting a candle in honor of the deceased or telling stories about the holidays that they shared together.
Experts also say that not everyone has to celebrate the holidays. Instead, they can seek support groups, have a good sleep, or spend time in nature.
