It turns out that getting in the Christmas spirit can be good for your mental health

A study has found that performing small acts of kindness for others can give us a better outlook on things and help us to better deal with stress. "Stressful days usually lead us to have a worse mood and poorer mental health, but our findings suggest that if we do small things for others, such as holding a door open for someone, we won't feel as poorly on stressful days," researcher Emily Ansell said. The findings suggest "prosocial behavior" might someday be a useful course of treatment for people suffering from chronic stress or depression. Previous lab-based studies have shown similar results, but Ansell and her team wanted to see if they held true in the real world. Researchers had 77 adults use their cellphones to report stressful events, acts of kindness, and their emotional state every day for two weeks. The participants averaged one or two helpful acts per day. But those who logged more than that had improved well-being and were less affected by stress. "The holiday season can be a very stressful time, so think about giving directions, asking someone if they need help, or holding that elevator door over the next month," Ansell said. "It may end up helping you feel just a little bit better."