The Power of Nostalgia
The term “nostalgia” was first coined in 1688 and was defined as a mental illness of soldiers continually thinking about their homeland and longing for return. However, today we have a much more positive attitude to nostalgia. It’s a great example of the benefits of a strong memory.
In numerous scientific experiments, researchers have found that subjects are much more likely to report positive feelings from a given piece of music if they’ve heard it before. But there’s also a growing body of research into time travel “the other way”, because memory skills can take people into the future, too. Decades of studies have shown that time travel into the future can bring a whole new set of rewards. For example, athletes who practice by mentally visualizing and imagining successful performances in the future do perform better.
All these findings are inspiring and attractive. How could you become a confident time traveler to the past or into the future? Here are some tips for you:
To take pleasure in helpful memories, maybe to reawaken happy feelings, use all your senses—not just sight. Smell, taste, touch and sound will also help you to recreate the past in rich clarity.
If you find a memory that’s particularly helpful—for reassurance, say—keep using it! You’ll get faster at finding it, and add extra layers of detail each time.
When you’re procrastinating (拖延), visualize an end result. Flash forward to see the floor swept or the essay finished, and use that positive image to drive you into action.
Ahead of major challenges, imagine the full impact of success. Don’t just picture yourself getting that great job: fill your mind with the really big ways it’s going to change your life.
There’ll still be times when old thoughts remind you of sadness, or you’re anxious about what’s next. But the more you learn to control your memory, the better you’ll be at mining your past, and shaping your future, to be your best self now.