The science behind nostalgia – 6 interesting facts, including the negative ones

9/27/2019

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Science Story: The science behind nostalgia – 6 interesting facts, including the negative ones

Feeling nostalgic: is it bad or good for our health? How does it affect one's personality? What triggers nostalgia? Read on to find out!

#1

Science Story: It was considered a disease — shutterstock

In 1688, Swiss physicians believed that nostalgia was a serious illness which attacked soldiers who were missing home. Such soldiers were considered unable to defend their country.

Nobody knew exactly how to cure nostalgia, but doctors tried everything: stomach cleansing, leeches, and even aggressive bullying techniques to make the soldiers stronger. Of course, none of those helped.

#2

Science Story: The smell is the strongest trigger of nostalgia — shutterstock

According to the scientists, nostalgia is strongly connected with our emotional memories. When we feel nostalgic, we don't miss the events – we miss the feelings we had back then.

As it turns out, smells activate the part of the brain responsible for emotions, which invokes a range of different feelings. The scents we smell during special moments tie with our emotions, which later can provoke powerful nostalgia.

#3

Science Story: An average person feels nostalgic several times a week — shutterstock

Typically we feel nostalgic once in a couple of days. When somebody is going through tough times in life, they tend to feel nostalgic more often: by making us experiencing more positive emotions, our brain protects us.

#4

Science Story: Nostalgia can affect our decision-making — shutterstock

Anyway, too much nostalgia can be a warning sign. If a person misses the past all the time, they try to replicate their happy moments, which has a major impact on the decision-making. The past doesn't exist anymore, and the world is changing all the time – what used to be right in the past can result in a lot of problems today.

This perfectly works in advertising. Manufacturers often reuse old ideas and concepts from the past, provoking nostalgia in their customers and trying to sell more. Sometimes such trends can be really manipulative and make people pay for something they don't really need.

#5

Science Story: People can feel nostalgic for the present — shutterstock

This feeling is known as anticipatory nostalgia. You've definitely felt this way: it occurs when you really like what's happening now but feel a bit sad in advance, because this moment is not going to last forever.

Just like missing the past too much, anticipatory nostalgia can also negatively affect us and our mental outlook. If you don't want to reconcile the fact that everything, even the best, will one day pass, you simply don't allow yourself to live in the present.

#6

Science Story: Nostalgia reduces stress — shutterstock

When we feel emotionally unstable or drained, nostalgia becomes a stabilizing force. It can even be used in therapy as a tool in overcoming loss and grief.

In other words, nostalgia can help people believe there's still good in the world. Nostalgia makes you focus on yourself and your personal feelings so you can forget about your everyday problems for a while and relieve anxiety.

What are you most nostalgic about? Do you believe nostalgia can be dangerous?

Tell us in the comments!

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

26 Comments

Pat Hamill

For me, being nostalgic is not dangerous. It is a way of connecting with my past. I am very grateful to have these joyful memories, and am forever grateful for this touch of my past. I am in my eighties now, the oldest of ten children, so have a very large family. How blessed, I am. Of course, I live in the present, the past is gone, the future is unknown, but today is mine!

ninakamwene

Thank you for an interesting take on nostalgia. I tend to move on, and be in the present moment because I know that life is a journey with ups and downs, good and bad and that all things are lessons the universe would have me learn. Simply put: "If it occurs, it is indicated". Collect your gifts and be grateful. The game of life is always ON! Engage passionately, authentically and abundantly..by Dan Heer. Bless you all and be safe and well Quiz Folks.

Paula Salem

Music is a perfect way to feel nostalgic. Love the memories it brings me.

Mena Mitchell

Today, my elderly self was at a ski area, to see a snow ssculpture contest, and just the whole feel of the slopes, brought a tear to my eyes, that I can never feel that " free", floating, winter woods zipping by, feeling, again.

Julie Domaille

Smell does evoke memories. A mixture of sweet tobacco and old spice makes me think of my Dad. As a child I would hold his jumper when he was away. There was no such thing as fabric softener back then so I would have a rash by morning lol.

Margherita Rizza McGlinchey

ninakamwene, well said!!

lmoores

Nostalgia done right is a very pleasant experience.

Peter Robertson

The Preacher(Ecclesiastes) warned against it! But for us,"The good old days" were better because they do not confront us with the problems we have now,and we forget the ones we had then. The future will always be better for the same reason. The "here and now" is where we have problems.

Donna Garza

I had a wonderful childhood. Great parents, family. So my nostalgia is something I visit quite often. I had a discussion recently with my adult children. I told them you have plenty of fun, silly memories of me and our family, and when I’m gone I want them to remember and talk and laugh of those times. I know they will miss me, but I don’t want them to be sad when they think of me.

Johnny Gio

EVERY TIME I THINK ABOUT THE PAST IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES.

Bvr Shppy

b4 All of my Atrocious decisions as a Young teen (mayb evn a few years b4 tht..?) the World wz my Oyster 🙂 Thank You

Suzanne Jeffery

Food is my trigger. I miss the home cooked, Pennsylvania Dutch

David Zacher

Tom Paxton said “It’s ok to look back but don’t stare “ love that quote

konrad

One of the few things that make me feel nostalgic is BEER. Years ago, beer was NOT PASTEURIZED and sopme brews were exquisite, THICK and flavoured. Nowadays, most of them are, as Mon ty Python once said, "like making love in a canoe!, that is, "f*cking close to water".

jack patti go

I do feel nostalgic, to remember the past! There was a very short window, when I was so very happy. Thiscwas long ago in yhe 70's! I am pretty happy now! Ilove my husband, have great kids and grands! My health isn't the best, but yhankful, for my life, I hsve!