LOOK BACK IN WONDER

There's nothing like a bit of nostalgia to give you the feel-good factor

- LUCY ROBINSON

Whether it’s listening to an old song on shuffle or finding a faded school shirt at the back of the wardrobe, nothing quite beats taking a walk down memory lane.

Despite historically being deemed a psychiatric disorder, the warm fuzzy feeling of nostalgia is set to be the defining theme of 2023 as Barbie and Ken hit the big screen and the likes of Busted and S Club sell out arenas.

“Nostalgia is the romanticism of a past life,” says Dr Elena Touroni, consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic. “It can combine both happy and sad feelings but, generally, comes alongside a feeling of wistfulness and a longing to return to times gone by.”

And it turns out that embracing nostalgia could come with health benefits, too. “Nostalgia can benefit our mental health and provide comfort,” she adds.

Here’s how…

MOTIVATIONAL BENEFITS

In the workplace, nostalgia for previous achievements can act as a motivational source. “By revisiting positive memories, we are reminded of our ability to overcome challenges in the past,” says Faye Edwardes, author of The Little Book Of Positivity: A First-Aid Kit For Your Well-Being.

SOCIAL CONNECTION