The arrival of the New Year holiday usually invigorates A A special mix of emotions. Among them, nostalgia appears strongly when certain Special smells, sounds or sights The season takes us to the past moments.
according to Susan AlbersA psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic says that this phenomenon is closely related to the traditions that we repeat every year Stimulate meaningful memories.
Albers points out that nostalgia is an emotion associated with memory that is often described as… “Bittersweet”because It combines joy and a feeling of longing.
According to the psychologist, this type of evocation can Improve mood And provide a break from the stress that accompanies the holidays. The specialist noted that the revival of his favorite hobbies with loved ones could be born A feeling of connection.
Simple moments, such as enjoying the foods typical of the season or watching a Christmas movie, tend to do so Activate vivid memoriesEspecially those related to childhood. He explained that this is why some traditional dishes and classic films are served They are relaxing Year after year.
Although these sentiments can be beneficial, Albers cautions that they may also have drawbacks. “On the other hand, Too much nostalgia can make you feel stuck In the past,” he said.
In these cases, longing for traditions that no longer exist can generate sadness or highlight a sense of loss. “It can frustrate you “And it makes you feel emotionally heavy,” the psychiatrist added.
To prevent these feelings from becoming overwhelming, Albers recommended:
Written by Camila Paula Sanchez Fajardo