Why We Love Nostalgia And Feeling Nostalgic

If you can’t tell by our name, we LOVE all things nostalgia! Since time machines don’t currently exist (unfortunately), the best way to go back in time is by sharing memories. Memories are so powerful sometimes a picture or a few seconds of a song can bring you right back to a special time and place. Over the past few years, DoYouRemember? (DYR) has become the destination for everything nostalgic and we can’t describe how happy that makes us(it’s like hearing the voice of Elvis Presley for the first time).

Before DYR became a website dedicated to nostalgia, we were a book. Our founder, Michael wrote and published his first book in 1996. Can you guess its name? The book is called DoYouRemember? and yes, that is where we got the name for the site! His books are available here on our site as well as on Amazon & Google.

The DoYouRemember? Book

DoYouRemember? takes readers back to the good old days, when TV shows were unabashedly corny and shags (carpets and hairdos) were all the rage. View 130 images of long-lost-pop-culture items and unforgettable icons from the 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s – Take a peek here.

Defining Nostalgia

Many definitions exist for the word nostalgia. A Google search for, ‘definition of nostalgia’ generates about 99,200,000 results and the definitions are very consistent regardless of the source. What makes this word so unique is the volume of people searching for a definition they can understand or relate to.

Nostalgia relates to our memories and emotions. It’s part of the human experience. A ‘one size fits all’ definition is counterintuitive to the word itself.

Dictionary Definition For Nostalgia

1. A wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one’s life, to one’s home or homeland, or to one’s family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time
2. Something that elicits or displays nostalgia

Nostalgia As It Relates To Your Mood

Here’s what we learned from The American Journal of Psychology’s Article, “Nostalgia: Retreat or support in difficult times?”

Although nostalgia is often triggered by negative feelings, it results in increasing one’s mood and heightening positive emotions, which can stem from feelings of warmth or cope resulting from nostalgic reflections. One way to improve mood is to effectively cope with problems that hinder one’s happiness. Batcho (2013) found that nostalgia proneness positively related to successful methods of coping throughout all stages—planning and implementing strategies, and reframing the issue positively. These studies led to the conclusion that the coping strategies that are likely among emotionally prone people often lead to benefits during stressful times. Nostalgia can be connected to more focus on coping strategies and implementing them, thus increasing support in challenging times.

The Function Of Nostalgia

Wonder Why You Feel Nostalgic? We found this on Wikipedia:

Nostalgia’s definition has changed greatly over time. Consistent with its Greek word roots meaning “homecoming” and “pain,” it was for centuries considered a potentially debilitating and sometimes fatal medical condition expressing extreme homesickness.[2] The modern view is that nostalgia is an independent, and even positive, emotion that many people experience often. Occasional nostalgia has been found to have many functions, such as to improve mood, increase social connectedness, enhance positive self-regard, and provide existential meaning. Many nostalgic reflections serve more than one function, and overall seem to benefit those who experience them. Such benefits may lead to a chronic disposition or personality trait of “nostalgia proneness

How Often Do People Feel Nostalgic? This Tidbit Came From The NY Times 

Most people report experiencing nostalgia at least once a week, and nearly half experience it three or four times a week. These reported bouts are often touched off by negative events and feelings of loneliness, but people say the “nostalgizing” — researchers distinguish it from reminiscing — helps them feel better.

Time for the fun stuff, Nostalgia Stories, And Games!

The best way for us to describe nostalgia is by sharing some of the favorite articles we’ve published. Stories that evoke emotions and bring back memories for us (and hopefully for you too!). One of our most popular topics on the site happens to be about Elvis.

Most Popular Baby Names In The Fifties
Evidence The 1970s Was The Best Decade For Film Making
19 Iconic Photographs From The 60s All Baby Boomers Will Instantly Recognize
Cast Of ‘Cheers’ Then And Now
Gerber Baby Is Now An Adorable 91-Year-Old Great-Grandmother

What Happened To This Generations Handwriting? 

Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoy our nostalgia website. Before you leave, check out our Classic Arcade!