Does Nostalgia Keep You Warm?

Researchers at the University of Southampton and Sun Yat-Sen University collaborated to explore whether feelings of nostalgia help protect people against the cold. They conducted various experiments (published in the Journal Emotion) such as 1) putting people in a cold room, asking them to recall a nostalgic event from their past, and then asking them to guess the temp; and 2) asking volunteers to recall a nostalgic event while their hand was dunked in ice-cold water. [nbcnews.com]

The researchers concluded that overall recalling nostalgic events "evinced greater tolerance to noxious cold." So instead of turning up your heater this winter you could save some money by wistfully remembering the good old days instead.

Why would nostalgia keep you warm? The researchers suggest that "the nostalgia-warmth link derives from a universal mental association between interpersonal affiliation (which nostalgia fosters) and warmth, which is rooted in infant-caregiver interaction."

But, of course, more research is necessary. For instance, the researchers propose that future investigations will explore whether "nostalgia functions in a different capacity for individuals reared in warm (compared to colder) climates. Conceivably, in colder climates nostalgia could primarily serve to ameliorate thermoregulatory (cold) discomfort, whereas in warmer climates it could primarily serve to ameliorate thirst."
     Posted By: Alex - Sat Dec 08, 2012
     Category: Science | Experiments





Comments
About this time of the year I get nostalgic for June!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 12/08/12 at 11:16 AM
I'm a wolverine and my hatred keeps me Warm! :lol:
That, And my Nostalgia for bad 80's movies, and parodies thereof! :coolsmile:
Posted by Tyrusguy on 12/08/12 at 12:08 PM
Hay, Ty, do you have stock in Family Guy? Just askin'. :lol:
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 12/08/12 at 12:29 PM
@Expat, Nah, It's just one of my favorite shows! :coolsmile:
Posted by Tyrusguy on 12/08/12 at 12:45 PM
@Expat, BTW I never figured you for a P/Funk-George Clinton Fan!
Unless this is not the Mothership You're referring to! :lol:
Well, Whatever put's a glide in your stride and a dip in your hip! :coolsmile:
Posted by Tyrusguy on 12/08/12 at 12:58 PM
I'm awaiting the return of the mother ship that helped the Mayans build their temples and the one who's return is foretold by the ending of their calendar!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 12/08/12 at 01:01 PM
Combining cold & mother ship - http://www.tutravesia.com/en/fjord_peel.html
Posted by BMN on 12/08/12 at 02:56 PM
@BMN: I'm all aquiver in anticipation of spending days and days in a tent and/or kayak in freezing water! N O T !
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 12/09/12 at 12:22 AM
I have my love to keep me warm! 😉
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 12/09/12 at 08:10 PM
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