The holiday season is filled with bright lights, familiar melodies, and traditions old and new, but have you ever wondered what is actually happening inside your brain during this time of year? From the surge of feel-good neurotransmitters sparked by shared laughter to the deep neural connections tied to nostalgia and music, the festive season offers a fascinating window into human neurobiology.
Before we break for the holidays, join Dr. Holly Bardutz for a warm, engaging, and lighthearted exploration of Christmas, the holiday season, and your brain. Building on evidence-based neuroscience, this special year-end session looks at the secret brain benefits hidden within our holiday routines, and why experiences like giving, social gathering, and musical memory play such a vital role in maintaining cognitive vitality and emotional well-being.
However, the season isn't without its challenges. Dr. Bardutz will also unpack the darker side of the holidays on the nervous system, exploring how acute stress, disrupted sleep schedules, social fatigue, and seasonal overload can elevate cortisol and tax our cognitive resources. You’ll leave with clear, compassionate strategies to protect your energy, set healthy boundaries, and keep your brain balanced amidst the holiday hustle.
Whether you are looking for science-backed tips to navigate holiday stress or simply want to gather one last time to celebrate the year we’ve shared, this session offers the perfect mix of insight, connection, and festive spirit.
In this session, you’ll explore:
The Neurochemistry of Holiday Joy: How traditions, social connection, and acts of generosity trigger dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin to boost mood and resilience.
Music, Memory & Nostalgia: Why holiday tunes and shared memories activate deeply rooted neural networks and enhance cognitive reserve across the lifespan.
Managing Holiday Overload: The impact of seasonal stress, late nights, and packed schedules on your brain, and how to prevent sensory and emotional burnout.
Practical Preservation Strategies: Simple, science-based tools to maintain sleep hygiene, manage stress, and protect your mental clarity through the busy season.
A Year-End Celebration: A chance to come together, laugh, connect, and wrap up the year with inspiration for your brain health journey ahead.
Join us for an inspiring, science-based afternoon of learning, connection, and celebration. Come for the brain science, leave with a little holiday cheer and a very Happy Holly-day!
Event details:
Date: Thursday, December 17, 2026
Time: 10:30–11:30 a.m. (Regina time)
Where: Zoom (live online)
Can’t make it live? No worries—register and you’ll get access to the recording.
Cost: $30