(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. I am writing this month on activities that keep me refreshed during these depressing days. It's Day 25 today.)
As you would have noticed, in most of the 24 posts this month, I have gone back in time, reminiscing school or college days. In fact, I have noticed many fellow bloggers too recalling their past.
Memories of yesteryear are comforting, aren't they?
(By the way, though I keep seeing people using the word 'yesteryears', what I have learnt is that it's always 'yesteryear' whether it refers to the past year or many years previous to that.)
So, all these days, I have been watching clips of some great tennis and cricket matches from the past, old classic movies, some well-made documentaries, listening to radio programmes (like in my school days), including old songs.
A STRESS BUSTER
A research paper published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, says, "Nostalgia maintains psychological comfort".
An article in Huffington Post quotes Krystine Batcho, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Le Moyne College in New York, saying, “Any change good or bad is very stressful. So what nostalgia enables you to do both emotionally and cognitively is keep track of what has remained stable, giving you some sense of continuity that grounds you."
In another article in Huffington Post, Clay Routledge, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, says, "Nostalgia makes people feel loved and valued and increases perceptions of social support when people are lonely."
In the same article, Erica Hepper, Ph.D., a lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Surrey in England, explains, "When we experience nostalgia, we tend to feel happier, have higher self-esteem, feel closer to loved ones and feel that life has more meaning."
THE ONLY HOUSE I HAVE SEEN IN DREAM
Even though I have lived in many cities, I have never seen in a dream any of the houses I have lived in except the one I stayed in when I was in school. Sometimes, I have woken up thinking I am in that same house. I have wondered why none of the other houses come in my dream!
Are these pandemic-triggered hard times taking us back to yesteryear, leading us to find solace in the remembrances of the past?
What about you? Do you feel like going back to those school and college days, do you relive those good old days?
Memories of yesteryear are comforting, aren't they?
(By the way, though I keep seeing people using the word 'yesteryears', what I have learnt is that it's always 'yesteryear' whether it refers to the past year or many years previous to that.)
So, all these days, I have been watching clips of some great tennis and cricket matches from the past, old classic movies, some well-made documentaries, listening to radio programmes (like in my school days), including old songs.
A STRESS BUSTER
A research paper published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, says, "Nostalgia maintains psychological comfort".
An article in Huffington Post quotes Krystine Batcho, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Le Moyne College in New York, saying, “Any change good or bad is very stressful. So what nostalgia enables you to do both emotionally and cognitively is keep track of what has remained stable, giving you some sense of continuity that grounds you."
In another article in Huffington Post, Clay Routledge, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, says, "Nostalgia makes people feel loved and valued and increases perceptions of social support when people are lonely."
In the same article, Erica Hepper, Ph.D., a lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Surrey in England, explains, "When we experience nostalgia, we tend to feel happier, have higher self-esteem, feel closer to loved ones and feel that life has more meaning."
THE ONLY HOUSE I HAVE SEEN IN DREAM
Even though I have lived in many cities, I have never seen in a dream any of the houses I have lived in except the one I stayed in when I was in school. Sometimes, I have woken up thinking I am in that same house. I have wondered why none of the other houses come in my dream!
Are these pandemic-triggered hard times taking us back to yesteryear, leading us to find solace in the remembrances of the past?
What about you? Do you feel like going back to those school and college days, do you relive those good old days?
School and Uni days were some of the best days. I don't think we will ever forget them. And now with social media we can reconnect with schoolmates so easily.
ReplyDeleteSuzy Someday Somewhere Letter Y
Hi Suzy - Yes, connecting back with them and organising get togethers have become very easy now.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWhilst I do have a keen intersting in piecing together history, interestingly, I am not a particularly nostalgic personality. There is no one period of place in my life that particularly calls me. Mainly because I am constantly blessed with new, challenging, exciting experiences and they all keep me will in the present! There is not doubt, however, that reminiscences with family and friends offer opprotunities for bonding and uplift. YAM xx
ugh, typos, sorry...
DeleteHi Yamini - Nothing like being happy and contented in the present. That's always my objective. And I am reasonably successful in my efforts. Nostalgia is when I revisit the happy moments of the past.
DeleteYou will like the song "Gnabagam Varuthey" from the Tamil movie, Autograph. You will like the movie also. Both are in Youtube.
ReplyDeleteSchool days were the most care free days of life that most of us would agree. Probably the simple life of those days has the rustic charm that never fades. It is in the company of friends and families that golden moments of yesteryear are revisited. They leave a trail of sweet lingering fondness in mind.
ReplyDeleteThis lockdown has however kept me busy so has the A to Z challenge. There is no time to sit back and relax, as every now and then some or the other chore props up demanding my attention and almost always instant action.
Hi Anagha - O yes, April has been a pretty busy time. The month just flew by! Thanks for visiting.
DeleteI do get nostalgic at times,,But I don`t really want to go back in time..The place I grew up, I had wonderful memories of the neighbourhood...a few years back I re-visited and was disheartened by the state..
ReplyDeleteHi My Space - That's really sad. Some places get better, some others fall into ruin.
DeleteI've always been fond of taking trips down memory lane. Your post today has convinced me that it's a good thing:)
ReplyDeleteMy memoir writing has found the focus it was lacking --thanks to the ample time this 'staying at home' April has brought.
Hi Arti - Yes, the lockdown has given us that extra time.
DeleteNot really. Any time I spend too much time thinking about school days, I remember Brian. He was two years behind me in high school. Every time we had a conversation, it began with, "Remember back in junior high..." It got irritating pretty quickly.
ReplyDeleteI've been remembering my thirties, good times for me and my husband. ~grin~ Be well!
ReplyDeleteHi Darla - Glad to know that. Some good memories to fall back upon. :)
DeleteVery interesting information on the function of nostalgia. It gives me a fresh perspective on it. Nostalgia for me is a mixed bag. It highlights so many cherished things, but the darker aspects of some memories always seem to creep in to tarnish the beauty. About your dream of only one house, house usually means your life. #1 question to ask is what was the feeling as you were there. Maybe you have some unresolved matters from that time in your life or something from the present can find an answer from that time.
ReplyDeleteHi Jade - It's always a mixed bag, is it not? There are always the good and the bad.
DeleteI'm really sorry I've been unable to comment on your blog this year. I tried a couple of times and failed, then gave up.It wouldn't let me comment with just my name/URL. I will try again, and return to your posted after the challenge. Congrats and all the best.
ReplyDeleteHi Josna - Thanks for visiting. I need to check. Probably, I must give a feedback to Blogger about this. Thanks a lot, visiting.
DeleteHi Josna - I just checked replying to one comment, with my name and URL as 'example.com'. The reply got posted. Let me check again here.
DeleteI used to reminisce much, earlier. But that becomes an excuse to skip working, sometimes ;) Hence I immerse myself in reading, learning or working to not feel lonely :)
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Hi Rajesh - O, yes, it can be distracting and take up a lot of time.
DeleteMemories can both be fond ones and also tough or sad.I am not sure whether we can control their visits.We relish happy memories and get away from bad generally by engaging in some activity.
ReplyDeleteHi KP - Yes, it's a mixed bag. Good memories sort of pep us up, don't they?
DeleteI loved my university years! It was fun, full of friend, great studies, and loving memories.
ReplyDeleteLife has been slow now and this phase has brought back many memories of the past and I so much wish to live that life once again!
ReplyDeleteHi Jhilmil - Glad you have lovely memories to go back to.
DeleteI do get Nostalgic when I meet my classmates, recently I was connecting with my college mates and the sense of happiness, belonging and all he fun talk is precious. Another thing I enjoy of yesteryears have been cooking my mom's favorite dishes... keeping her alive in my memories and looking at albums... psychologically all this helps us to be grounded and leads to be positive and happy. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete