December in North America has always been a joyous season, but over time, things have changed dramatically. Long distances, financial concerns, and stressors of modern life have impacted our collective state of mind, say American Psychological Association doctors. “The holiday season can be both a happy and stressful time of year in part due to expectations to spend time with family and friends, navigate family conflicts and uphold important traditions,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA’s CEO.
Some folks take advantage of geographically-disbursed family members and the rise in the cost of holiday giving and entertaining—especially those living in regions where frigid weather adds to seasonal stress. Where are they going? A surprising number of them return to Belize each December. They long for warm sun, breezes, and the kind-hearted people who make this an annual December trek to have fun and thaw out. Many returnees say that this year-end trip delivers mental health benefits galore as the new year dawns.
Fill your itinerary with fun diversions
“Something happens when I grab a plane and head for Belize each December,” enthuses Maria whose family looks forward to handcrafted treasures she brings back as Christmas gifts after her annual December stay at Belizean Dreams Resort. “I feel myself starting to breathe when staffers start to spoil me,” she laughs. She looks forward to events that spice up her annual visit, including:
- Diving or snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef where she has learned to identify myriad fish species
- “I always visit at least one Maya ruin,” she adds. “There are 900+ and I’m making a dent in my list”
- Explore a Belize Cave. There are thousands of them, some of which were used for sacrificial rituals
- Don't miss seeing Garifuna dancers perform traditional Jankunu Festival dances on Christmas afternoon
- Watch ancestors of Mayas wear traditional masks to perform their annual Deer Dance
- Find out why Belize has become the birdwatching capital of Central America
Every one of these experiences…
…and many we haven’t cited—is available to Belizean Dreams guests, so ask staffers for help and they’ll make arrangements. Of course, you can always skip these and stick around Belizean Dreams’ private beach where 80 degree-weather promises to lull you into a state of bliss, and since the resort offers two diverse all inclusive packages, it’s easy to make this a December to remember simply by taking advantage of resort amenities.
That stated, why not give yourself a priceless Christmas gift this year? You could meet the requirements of a discounted stay at Belizean Dreams Resort if the property isn’t already filled to capacity on the December days you’d like to visit. “Tis the season to be generous,” Maria adds, “especially to yourself.” Can you refute her wisdom?
