Nostalgia: Can looking back improve tomorrow’s outlook?

By Tullio Orlando

At the start of a brand-new year, nostalgia sometimes set in. When the new year begins to roll out, thoughts can drift to times passed, perhaps obscured by the fog of memory. Nostalgia may often evoke pleasant reminiscences … or not … but is it healthy to dwell in (or on) the past at all?

Perpetuating a habit of living in memorial rather than in present terms, contrasting how things used to be to how they are was once thought best avoided lest we self-inflict sadness and hopelessness. Living in this way was characterized as a denial of the here and now and a debilitating process of yearning for that which had been lost. The very word ‘nostalgia’ is formed from the Greek ‘nostos’ (yearning to return home) and ‘algos’ (its inherent pain).

But things have been looking up for nostalgia.

Memories of bygone times can be strong stimulants to propel us into an optimism of the future. Nostalgia is now shown to be both a common denominator for empathy and social connectedness, and a compelling mental antidote for loneliness and alienation. Researchers are turning to the development of nostalgia-based therapies for maladies which include clinical depression and are cautiously optimistic about its use for treating Alzheimer’s.

Another interesting finding that intrigues researchers: thinking of the past provides built-in neurological defence mechanisms called upon to protect against negative feelings and scenarios. This counteraction elevates senses of meaningfulness and promotes emotional equilibrium. They argue the act of thinking can be divided into three distinct areas: rumination, counterfactual thinking, and nostalgia. Rumination and counterfactual thinking are characterized by bitterness and perhaps depression – for example, using these negative memories as reminders of how poorly one has been treated or to affirm regrets. On the other hand, nostalgia, is distinguished from negative memories because it provides connections to past events and people who conjure meaningful memories to serve as reminders of what one is capable of when engaging in human connections with others.

Research suggests nostalgia helps build internal resources like optimism, inspiration, or creativity – correlations with mental fortitude. When challenging circumstances arise, nostalgia sustains a position from which one can evaluate the present situation as a temporary state of being from which resilience evolves.

Perhaps the flipside may be that resilient people are simply more proficient at using their nostalgic side.

Sincerely,

Tullio Orlando
CEO, Montage Support Services