According to recent research that looked at how social ties between close social circles and wider groups connect to physical and psychological well-being, the time people spent with family over the holiday season may improve health.

Researchers at the University of Kent, Nottingham Trent University (NTU), and Coventry University led the study. The study also found that having strong bonds with both close social circles and extended groups is associated with better mental health and well-being. Importantly, the greater number of groups people had strong bonds with, the higher their engagement in health behaviours and the better their reported psychological well-being was, with less anxiety and depression.