Temple Psychologist Dispels Popular Holiday Myths
By Lynne Adkins
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Just like Santa Claus, flying reindeer, and little elves that make toys, myths and superstitions have become part of our holiday lore. But just because you've heard a hot holiday tip, doesn't make it fact.
For example, gobbling up all of those Christmas goodies will make you fat. That's a myth, according to Dr. Frank Farley, a Psychology Professor at Temple University.
"All those cookies, the cakes, the sweets, everything that we all indulge in," he says, "based upon several sources of evidence, turns out to increase the average weight of maybe one to two pounds."
What about the long-held belief that a sip of liquor will warm you up? That's a myth, too. Alcohol actually causes heat loss.
And New Year's Eve is the most dangerous night on the roads, right? Wrong!
"Actually, the worst dates for dangerous driving and for driving fatalities are the Fourth of July and then roundabout Labor Day," Dr. Farley says. But on New Year's Day itself, deaths due to drunk driving, it's the highest of the year."
The thought that there is an increase in suicides this time of year is also not true, according to Farley, who adds the suggestion that there are more cases of domestic abuse during the holiday season is a common misconception, as well.
"Domestic violence actually goes down," he says, "so there must be some truth to the holiday saying, 'Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards Men.'"
Some people believe that kissing under the mistletoe confers something special. Surely, that must be true...isn't it?
"Who knows," says Farley. "But let's keep this myth going!"
And Santa Claus...he's definitely the real deal.
"Santa provides children with a vivid, imaginative and memorable figure with positive personal traits to represent Christmas," Farley says, "and children should be allowed to believe."
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