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[Below is the original script. But a few changes may have been made during the recording of this audio podcast.]
Remember the last time you sifted through old photographs, daydreamt about bygone days? I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for nostalgia.
But does nostalgia make us feel sad and alone?
Well a series of studies published in Psychological Science reveal that sentimental thoughts actually heal loneliness.
Researchers tested more than 1,000 people and found that those who reported loneliness also perceived they had low social support (meaning not many friends, connected family members.) But, they also reported feelings of nostalgia–which then increased their perceived social support. I guess thinking back on times with others, makes one realize that they indeed have had others in their lives.
But in a final study, researchers tested “resilience” in subjects and uncovered a caveat: It is the most resilient of people who recruit nostalgia when they are feeling lonely.
So as we head into the holiday season, try not to wallow in loneliness, dive into memories of old acquaintances instead. Oddly enough, you might just feel better.
—Christie Nicholson
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7 Comments
Add Commentdo you get the same benefits when going through old photographs?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf you not have care, such thing nostalgia turned to you a great problem. Nostalgia is a illness. Nostalgia ache. "La recherche du temps perdu" is what it is: a betise. You can use the good memoir like a psychological support for the actions of the present time or for wisdom disposable to you, but you not have to indulge in nostalgia because in doing it you are intoxicating yourself. It is possible also to purge the bad moments of the past for the method of catharses, but moderately without permit that bad memoirs hurt you. That such remember good moments of the past? In the first step, it enchants you in the second step it strikes you mercilessly with the most miserable ache. Nostalgia is like a drug, it promise pleasure but is like venom. Stay in guard about it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI dont think looking at nostalgia can "heal" anything. It more likely distracts the person from their depressed feelings of lonelyness in the present, and brings back feelings of belonging and comfort etc from the past, when they were less lonely/ depressed. Kind of like living in the past, or using their past feelings to cover up those of their present..
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPfff, why rehash the past, only time i have is for the present moment.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisLooking back at the past is absolute folly.
Loneliness is the state of affair for almost all people on this earth at this time, so distant from each other, even as lovers.
True connection need to be remembered and made.
Looking back changes the memory centers because the neurons refire thereby changing the memories. It is certainly possible to obtain new feelings after looking back, being nostalgic. Reminiscing has benefits, one of which is casting new images in the association areas.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhether reminiscing conjures up former social support is a matter for further research.
depends on what kind of a past the person has left behind them. like, is vietnam really so much fun in hindsight ?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt appears that Blu_Sage prefers to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. Notice the failure to plan for the future too. Must not be very bright. I have only a few friends but I hardly ever feel lonely. This is the kind of person that ends up on welfare because their health is shot and they have no income or savings. What we call a loser. I wonder what it is about Blu_Sage that makes them so lonely. They must be a lousy friend.
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