How Childhood Nostalgia Helps Us Cope With COVID-19 And Become More Powerful

During quarantine, one of the only things that has kept many sane is diving head first back into their middle school obsessions. Turns out, there's a reason why you've been binge watching nostalgic shows on Netflix.
wellness · 4 min
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Imagine feeling nostalgia without knowing what it was.

This was the case for Swiss mercenaries in the late 17th Century that were serving abroad. They faced symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, and indigestion, most times so severe that they needed to be discharged. To Swiss medical student Johannes Hofer this was quite the mystery, and it became even more of a mystery when it was found the mercenaries had no physical ailments.

It was later he would discover that this wasn't a result of a neurological disease, but instead extreme homesickness. It was Hofer who coined the term nostalgia which came from the Greek words homecoming (nóstos) and pain (álgos). 

Nostalgia was thought to be caused by brain damage from the constant clanging of cowbells that the mercenaries heard, and while an interesting theory many today dismiss the idea that nostalgia is caused by cowbells and instead see it as a natural emotion. 

"Nostalgia combines the sadness of loss with joy or consolation that the loss is not complete, nor ever can be. Mortal though we are, whatever little life we have snared from the legions of death is forever ours." - Neel Burton

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I certainly haven't been around many cowbells as of late, although despite this my need for the comfort of nostalgia has increased exponentially. 

Nostalgia becomes much more pronounced during uncertain times, most times of transition and change.

Hint. Hint. Coronavirus.

When we look back at a previous time, it is often through a softer lens. Our memory is attempting to connect us to the past, keyword being attempting. Memories are not as reliable as they seem to be, we think of general periods rather than certain details. 

Basically, nostalgia is just the warmth of the past that we can bring into the present. This being especially useful during the pandemic that we are all currently facing. Although, nostalgia is not always beneficial.

Some view nostalgia as self-deception, meaning that it involves distortion and an extreme idealization of the past. The bad parts are left behind leaving only the best of experiences. There is a Roman saying for it called memoria præteritorum bonorum which means 'the past is always well remembered'.

If one were to overindulge in nostalgia, in longing for a past that never existed and can never exist in the future, there would be multitudes of issues because it is something purely unattainable.

Despite nostalgia being seen as negative or being linked to depression and wanting to stay in the past, it actually provides many benefits. Here's some of the most prominent.

  • Looking back to the past gives us a sense of continuity. We wake up every day slightly different, but it is our memories that bring us together as a coherent person.
  • Nostalgia helps foster a stronger sense of meaning in one's life, looking into the past helps us understand where we've been and how we got to where we are.
  • Cortisol levels that are associated with the body's acute stress response are reduced when engaging in nostalgia.

"There comes a time in your life when you have to choose to turn the page, write another book, or simply close it." - Shannon Adler

Now, does nostalgia provide more benefits or harm when regarding our future? That is entirely up to the individual. 

If one is focused on restoring the vision of the past that they remember, then this can very well hinder anything they want to accomplish in the future. Nostalgia should be used differently, instead of using it to retreat to the past, use it to push forwards into the new and unknown.

Use nostalgia to make yourself stronger, let it help you be inspired to find new and exciting opportunities that won't recreate the past, but instead build a better tomorrow. Remember what is worth remembering and use that to push forwards. The reality we face today will be the nostalgia of tomorrow.

My mother passed of cancer eight months ago, and while looking back on the memories I had with her makes me sad in the sense that I will never get to experience her warmth again, it also helps me become better. The love and happiness she gave me remains with me and my memory and using it I hope to continue forward stronger than ever. 

So if you're like me and re-watched the entirety of Avatar the Last Airbender instead of doing your work, go for it! But also, please do your work. Just remember that today is what you will become nostalgic about tomorrow, so truly think about what makes you happy, and what you want to bring with you into the future despite the pandemic.

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Opinions and Perspectives

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Lara_Twilight commented Lara_Twilight 3 years ago

The scientific explanation of nostalgia's stress-reducing effects is really enlightening.

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PhantomPulse commented PhantomPulse 3 years ago

This article perfectly explains why I've been rewatching all my favorite childhood shows lately.

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Nadia-Gordon commented Nadia-Gordon 3 years ago

I've found that sharing nostalgic memories with others has helped me feel more connected during isolation.

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Renee_Sky commented Renee_Sky 3 years ago

The connection between nostalgia and personal identity development is particularly fascinating.

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Littleton_Lines commented Littleton_Lines 3 years ago

It's interesting to think about how different cultures might experience and express nostalgia.

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RetroDimension commented RetroDimension 3 years ago

The article really helped me understand why I've been feeling so connected to my past lately.

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LucySanders commented LucySanders 3 years ago

I think the key is using nostalgia as a tool for growth rather than an escape from reality.

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Hope-Patrick commented Hope-Patrick 3 years ago

That Neel Burton quote about nostalgia combining sadness and joy is beautifully accurate.

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Delaney-Webster commented Delaney-Webster 4 years ago

The article makes me feel less guilty about indulging in nostalgic activities during these uncertain times.

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Macy_Doodles commented Macy_Doodles 4 years ago

I appreciate the balanced approach in discussing both the benefits and potential pitfalls of nostalgia.

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RetroEcho commented RetroEcho 4 years ago

It's fascinating how something that was once considered a disease is now recognized as a natural and often helpful emotion.

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Courtney-Garcia commented Courtney-Garcia 4 years ago

The point about nostalgia helping us understand our life journey really resonates with me.

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AlignAndShine commented AlignAndShine 4 years ago

Has anyone else noticed they're more nostalgic during major life transitions?

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NicoleFisher commented NicoleFisher 4 years ago

I think it's important to note that nostalgia isn't just about happy memories, but about finding meaning in our past experiences.

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PowerOfNow commented PowerOfNow 4 years ago

This reminds me of how much time I've spent recently looking through old family photos.

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Miriam_Cunningham commented Miriam_Cunningham 4 years ago

I love how the author balanced personal experience with scientific research about nostalgia.

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Rubin_Report commented Rubin_Report 4 years ago

The idea of memory being selective really explains why our past always seems better than it probably was.

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LucasParker commented LucasParker 4 years ago

I find it remarkable how nostalgia can actually help reduce stress levels physiologically.

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Dreher_Digest commented Dreher_Digest 4 years ago

The article helped me understand why I've been so drawn to comfort foods from my childhood lately.

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NoraFisher commented NoraFisher 4 years ago

Sometimes I catch myself romanticizing pre-pandemic life more than I probably should.

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Mindful-Decluttering_07 commented Mindful-Decluttering_07 4 years ago

Those Swiss mercenaries would probably be amazed to know their homesickness led to identifying such a universal human experience.

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ElizaH commented ElizaH 4 years ago

The link between transitions and increased nostalgia explains why I get so sentimental during big life changes.

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SophieMorgan commented SophieMorgan 4 years ago

I never thought about how today's experiences will become tomorrow's nostalgia. It's making me more mindful of the present.

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Cora_Morgan commented Cora_Morgan 4 years ago

The article really captures how nostalgia can be both a comfort and a trap if we're not careful.

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Eric_1995 commented Eric_1995 4 years ago

It's interesting how nostalgia can make us feel connected to our past selves while also highlighting how much we've changed.

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VortexRider commented VortexRider 4 years ago

I wonder if future generations will feel nostalgic about the pandemic period, as strange as that sounds.

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JulietteBell commented JulietteBell 4 years ago

The concept of using nostalgia as a coping mechanism during times of stress makes a lot of sense.

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Stargazer101 commented Stargazer101 4 years ago

Anyone else find themselves listening to music from their teenage years more often during lockdown?

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William-Joseph commented William-Joseph 4 years ago

The description of nostalgia combining sadness and joy is spot-on. It's such a unique emotion.

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JessicaL commented JessicaL 4 years ago

I appreciate how the article acknowledges both the benefits and potential drawbacks of nostalgia.

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Aurora_Carter commented Aurora_Carter 4 years ago

Honestly, I'm a bit worried about how much time I spend thinking about the past lately.

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SuttonH commented SuttonH 4 years ago

The article makes a good point about not using nostalgia to recreate the past but rather to build a better future.

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Healing-Haven_888 commented Healing-Haven_888 4 years ago

I've noticed myself becoming more nostalgic as I get older. Maybe it's because I have more memories to look back on.

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Wholehearted_Living_555 commented Wholehearted_Living_555 4 years ago

The idea that nostalgia helps create a sense of continuity in our lives is really profound.

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Barrett_Bulletin commented Barrett_Bulletin 4 years ago

It's amazing how something as simple as rewatching an old TV show can provide such emotional comfort during difficult times.

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Belloni_Blog commented Belloni_Blog 4 years ago

I completely agree that nostalgia should be used as a springboard to the future rather than an escape from the present.

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Meditation-Moments_01 commented Meditation-Moments_01 4 years ago

That's an interesting point about memories being unreliable. We probably remember things better than they actually were.

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Happiness_Unlocked_07 commented Happiness_Unlocked_07 4 years ago

The author's personal story about their mother really touched me. It shows how nostalgia can be both painful and healing.

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MindfulBeauty commented MindfulBeauty 4 years ago

I think the pandemic has made us all a bit more nostalgic than usual. It's like we're collectively seeking comfort in the past.

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AmberLuxe commented AmberLuxe 4 years ago

We shouldn't dismiss the potential negative effects of too much nostalgia though. Balance is key.

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Joshua commented Joshua 4 years ago

The part about nostalgia reducing cortisol levels explains why I feel so relaxed when looking through old photo albums.

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FrankieT commented FrankieT 4 years ago

I love how the article explains nostalgia as the warmth of the past we bring into the present. That's such a beautiful way to think about it.

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Bessie_Blossom commented Bessie_Blossom 4 years ago

My grandparents always talk about how things were better in their day, but I wonder if that's just nostalgia talking.

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Mindful_Munchies_2024 commented Mindful_Munchies_2024 4 years ago

The connection between uncertainty and increased nostalgia makes perfect sense given what we're all going through.

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Tasha99 commented Tasha99 4 years ago

This article really helped me understand why I've been feeling so drawn to old photos and memories lately.

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BreatheDeeply commented BreatheDeeply 4 years ago

I find it fascinating how nostalgia can both comfort us and potentially hold us back at the same time.

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AndrewWatson commented AndrewWatson 4 years ago

The concept of memoria præteritorum bonorum perfectly explains why we always think things were better back then.

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Jolene-Black commented Jolene-Black 4 years ago

Interesting point about the Swiss mercenaries. I wonder how many other emotional conditions were originally misdiagnosed as physical ailments?

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Matt_2001 commented Matt_2001 4 years ago

I actually disagree with the notion that nostalgia is always positive. Sometimes it can keep us stuck in the past.

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Sophia-Noelle commented Sophia-Noelle 4 years ago

I'm sorry about your mother's passing. It's beautiful how you're using those memories as strength to move forward.

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SilentGuardianX commented SilentGuardianX 4 years ago

The connection between stress reduction and nostalgia is really interesting. I never thought about it having actual physical benefits.

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SimoneL commented SimoneL 4 years ago

Does anyone else find it interesting how our brains tend to filter out the bad memories and mainly keep the good ones?

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Eloise_Sunset commented Eloise_Sunset 4 years ago

That Shannon Adler quote really resonates with me. Sometimes we need to stop living in the past and create new memories.

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Moyers_Media commented Moyers_Media 4 years ago

While nostalgia can be comforting, I worry that too many people use it to escape rather than cope with current challenges.

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DeclutterAndThrive commented DeclutterAndThrive 4 years ago

I can relate to rewatching Avatar! I've done the same thing. There's something so comforting about revisiting those familiar stories.

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Carla_Lavish commented Carla_Lavish 4 years ago

This really hits home for me. During lockdown, I found myself watching all my favorite childhood movies on repeat.

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Rosalie-Weiss commented Rosalie-Weiss 4 years ago

The part about cowbells causing brain damage made me laugh. Imagine doctors today trying to explain that to their patients!

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Aspen_Starlit commented Aspen_Starlit 4 years ago

I never realized nostalgia was first identified in Swiss mercenaries. It's fascinating how something we consider so normal today was once treated as a medical condition.

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