The Benefits of Declining Holiday Party Invitations

Politely declining unwanted invitations to holiday parties can have a positive impact on mental health, according to a new study. The research found that people often accept invitations they don't want to attend out of fear of being judged, but loved ones don't care as much as they think. Saying no more often can also help avoid burnout. Participants in the study consistently overestimated the negative impact of declining invitations, believing it would harm their relationships more than it actually did. The study suggests that while it's important to spend time with others for relationship development, it's also okay to decline invitations to avoid overwhelming oneself during the holiday season.