Did you know that nostalgia was once considered a psychological disorder? It is true!
For those who do not know, nostalgia is described as “a sentimental longing for the past” (FioRito & Routledge, 2020). One of the reasons it was listed as a psychological disorder years ago was because it was thought to be related to feelings of isolation and distress (Rosen, 1975). With this information, you would think that nostalgia is a bad thing. And it is true, sometimes nostalgia can make us feel heartsick, longing for people, experiences and places from the past. But these days, researchers see that it can also be used as a tool for good. Have you ever thought of a pleasant memory and smiled? I think of when my brother and I were little, and my neighborhood was filled with other kids, and we would all play on my trampoline until the late hours of the night. It brings me joy and the Cambridge Dictionary-defined (n.d.) feeling of nostalgia: “It is the bittersweet blend of joy and a tinge of sadness that arises when reflecting on past experiences.” In this blog, let us focus on the pleasure of experiencing nostalgia.
Nostalgia can be important for mental health (Routledge et al., 2013). In one study, nostalgic memories increased positive feelings, self-regard, interpersonal skills, and connection to others (Routledge et al., 2013). These are especially important for immigrants who are away from home and family. While searching for a support network or community, nostalgic thoughts may bring you that connection you crave. And positive feelings will aid you in living life to the fullest and reaching your goals.
Is this information making you curious about nostalgia? Do you want to find out the other benefits of nostalgia? Why not do it in a fun way – try our quiz below!
But before you try, please consider these notes:
Who is this quiz for?
This concise and time-efficient questionnaire is intended for those who suspect they may be grappling with feelings of nostalgia. The questions below are aimed at assisting you in assessing whether you could benefit from extra support and guidance regarding these sentiments. Consulting with a mental health expert can also assist in discerning whether your experiences align with manifestations of nostalgia and guide you toward any necessary interventions.
Is this accurate?
This online screening is not a definitive tool. It is not designed to diagnose nostalgia or to be considered as a substitute for professional diagnosis.
You can, however, use this test as a self-screening tool to track your moods. You could also use it to show your doctor or a mental health professional how your symptoms have changed from one visit to the next.
Only a trained medical professional, such as a doctor or mental health professional, can help you determine the next best steps for you.
Quiz
1. Many studies have explored nostalgia and existentialism (questioning existence). Do your nostalgic memories contribute meaning to your life? (Routledge et al., 2013)
a) Always
b) Often
c) Sometimes
d) Never
2. Does your nostalgia positively affect any of these categories: mood, social, self, or existential? (Routledge et al., 2013).
a) Always
b) Often
c) Sometimes
d) Never
3. Earlier, we mentioned that nostalgia is linked to connectedness. Does nostalgia ever help you with feelings of loneliness? (Routledge et al., 2013).
a) Always
b) Often
c) Sometimes
d) Never
4. In another study, people with high nostalgia were more content with aging. As you get older and wiser, does nostalgia bring you comfort? (Routledge et al., 2013).
a) Always
b) Often
c) Sometimes
d) Never
5. Does your well-being generally increase when you feel nostalgic? (Routledge et al., 2013).
a) Always
b) Often
c) Sometimes
d) Never
6. Do you feel more optimistic due to nostalgia? (Ismail et al., 2018).
a) Always
b) Often
c) Sometimes
d) Never
7. Does nostalgia increase your intrinsic (natural) motivation and work effort? (Li et al., 2023).
a) Always
b) Often
c) Sometimes
d) Never
8. Are your gratitude levels high after experiencing nostalgia? (Li et al., 2023).
a) Always
b) Often
c) Sometimes
d) Never
There is no correct sequence of answers in this quiz. Hopefully, you will have chosen mostly a), but if not, that is okay. It may take practice to hone your positive thinking. Luckily, as mentioned, nostalgia can further increase positivity.
This quiz was designed to show you how nostalgia can benefit us. Amazingly, something as simple as remembering good experiences can augment well-being (Li et al., 2023), but there is a lot of research behind it. The range of aspects that nostalgia is linked to is extensive. If you are looking for a quick and straightforward pick-me-up (something that makes you happy), look no further.
Additionally, it was mentioned that nostalgia brings us gratitude. Gratitude is often used as a coping method for distress because it allows us to focus on the positive and feel thankful for our lives. It is linked to optimism, happiness with life, socialness, social support, and less negativity (Li et al., 2023). It also allows us to avoid negative emotions such as envy/jealousy (Li et al., 2023).
Furthermore, the motivation that comes from nostalgia can be used for all aspects of life. School, work, projects, anything you can think of. Intrinsic motivation has often been shown to be more effective than extrinsic motivation (Morris et al., 2022), so it is excellent that nostalgia is such an organic motivator. Company managers are always looking for more ways to motivate their employees. If any CEOS are reading this, consider giving your employees time to practice self-care and nostalgia. The evidence between well-being and nostalgia is fascinating.
Nostalgia is inclusive. Anyone of any race, gender, ethnicity, or age can experience it. That being said, only some have good memories. In my experience, bad memories surface more often for those struggling. If you feel that nostalgia is hurting you, I encourage you to seek help. As I have said, no problem is too small or big. Not only do psychological disorders require treatment, but everyday emotions and problems as well. Explore www.bookmytherapy.ca to discover clinicians in your familiar language, or explore more resources in Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html.
Thank you for taking this quiz with us today and learning about nostalgia. If you wish to educate yourself further, consider exploring our other blogs and the resources/journal articles listed for this blog. There is never any harm in learning psychology because, as humans, we all have brains that need to be taken care of. It is a constant job, and sometimes it requires work. Consider taking time each day to experience nostalgic thoughts, whether ten seconds or five minutes. Studies show your brain will thank you.
References:
Cambridge Dictionary (n.d.). Nostalgia. https://tinyurl.com/bdff93v5
Fiorito, T. A., & Routledge, C. (2020). Is Nostalgia a Past or Future-Oriented Experience? Affective, Behavioral, Social Cognitive, and Neuroscientific Evidence. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1133. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01133
Ismail, S., Christopher, G., Dodd, E., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Ingram, T. A., Jones, R. W., Noonan, K. A., Tingley, D., & Cheston, R. (2018). Psychological and Mnemonic Benefits of Nostalgia for People with Dementia. Journal of Alzheimer’s disease: JAD, 65(4), 1327–1344. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-180075
Li, B., Zhu, Q., Li, A., & Cui, R. (2023). Can Good Memories of the Past Instill Happiness? Nostalgia Improves Subjective Well-Being by Increasing Gratitude. Journal of Happiness Studies, 24(2), 699–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-022-00616-0
Morris, L. S., Grehl, M. M., Rutter, S. B., Mehta, M., & Westwater, M. L. (2022). On what motivates us: a a tailed review of intrinsic v. extrinsic motivation. Psychological medicine, 52(10), 1801–1816. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291722001611
Rosen. (1975). Nostalgia: a “forgotten” psychological disorder. Psychological Medicine, 5(4), 340–354. https://doi.org/10.1017/S003329170005697X
Routledge, Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Juhl, J. (2013). Nostalgia as a Resource for Psychological Health And Well-Being. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 7(11), 808–818. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12070