Nostalgia Warms You Up

Carl Lowe | Jan 08, 2013 | Comments 0

If you feel cold but don’t want to turn up the thermostat, try thinking about the good old days. Leaf through an album of old photographs. Research at the University of Southampton shows that remembering the days of yesteryear makes you feel warmer.

“Our study has shown that nostalgia serves a homeostatic function, allowing the mental simulation of previously enjoyed states, including states of bodily comfort,” says researcher Tim Wildschut, “in this case making us feel warmer or increasing our tolerance of cold. More research is now needed to see if nostalgia can combat other forms of physical discomfort, besides low temperature.”

In Wildschut’s research, people who were encouraged to be nostalgic about past events felt warmer in a chilly room than those who merely thought about today’s cold reality.