Nostalgia is highly impactful. Triggered by anything, from the smell of coffee to a musical note, it transports you to a moment of time that you cherished. While people often unconsciously use nostalgia as an escape, scientists have claimed that it can also help with your health, both physical and mental. While the mental effects are instantly and directly felt, the physical impact takes longer to manifest.
Guilt-Free R&R
Remember how light it used to feel when we spent our days out in the sun mindlessly doing whatever came to mind? Be it just laying stretched out on the grass or noticing the shapes in the clouds, any such activity works. It has been proven that such activities help reduce stress which can speed up weight loss. When your body is calm, the stress hormone is reduced, thereby resuming the regular speed at which your body’s metabolism functions.
Recharge With an Old Friend
Scientists looking into Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine at the University of Michigan have said that regularly catching up with close and good friends can work wonders to get rid of any tiredness you feel. When you spend time with your friends, you feel less lonely thereby reducing depression and fatigue through the release of dopamine.
Self-Control and Your Favorite Story
When you’re feeling lost or generally disoriented, it can help to watch a favorite movie or show or read a favorite book. A study published in the Social Psychological & Personality Science journal claims that immersing yourself in a familiar world with beloved characters makes you comfortable enough to fully relax, thereby eliminating any anxiety about the future.
Sound Sleep
A couple of hours before going to sleep, have a small snack that you enjoy. As per The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, having simple carbohydrates initiates the secretion of serotonin that helps you calm down and have a good sleep.