FEELING GOOD ABOUT NOSTALGIA

Feeling nostalgic is often seen as a sign of depression, but a growing body of research suggests that it actually wards off loneliness and anxiety, The New York Times reports. Wistfully recalling old memories, researchers have found, makes people behave more generously and feel closer to their romantic partners. (click below to read more)

People are more likely to be nostalgic when it’s cold outside—and feeling that way tends to make them feel warmer, suggesting a possible reason why nostalgia evolved. “If you can recruit a memory to maintain physiological comfort, at least subjectively, that could be an amazing and complex adaptation,” says psychologist Tim Wildschut of the University of Southampton in England. He and his colleagues have found that nostalgic thoughts are remarkably similar across cultures, centering on memories of being surrounded by close friends at weddings, holidays, and other special moments. Such bittersweet reminiscences are often triggered by feelings of isolation, and are most common among people experiencing a transition, such as young adults moving away from home or old people who’ve lost a spouse. Despite arising from a sense of loss, nostalgia seems to make us feel better. “It brings to mind cherished experiences,” says North Dakota State University psychologist Clay Routledge, “that assure us we are valued people who have meaningful lives.”