The Healing Power of Nostalgia

wired to connect with others and in a world where everything is temporary, it’s easy to understand why grief is such an isolating, often debilitating process for people to navigate.

However, it’s been recognised in various academic studies that nostalgia, a wistful affection for the past, can actually be therapeutic in healing grief.

Storytelling and nostalgia both serve to pay tribute to the deceased, bringing people from the past and present together and helping us to connect with others who are sharing common grief.

At My Tributes, we like to think of stories like shining beacons of hope during even the darkest of times. And taking intentional steps towards remembering a loved one is not only a powerful act of love, it’s essential in our healing.

Reflecting on fond memories is also great for boosting feelings of engagement and selfesteem which in turn, can foster optimism and inspiration. Grief has also been linked to boosts of creativity and feelings of renewed purpose.

While grief is a natural and individual human experience, it’s important to embrace any available support and not suffer alone. Which brings us to another positive, the power of nostalgia can provide comfort and happiness, especially to the bereaved. It can help alleviate loneliness and build a positive path towards healing.

Whether reminiscing about a childhood friend, partner, favourite aunty or uncle, there are many ways to preserve a memory and nurture creativity, such as making a tribute book filled with photos, writing stories and poems, preserving copies of old letters or handwritten recipes and sharing your loved one’s story in the paper or online. Even a collaborative creation of art can be a wonderful way to honour someone special.

The best medicine for healing after the loss of a loved one is to remember.

At My Tributes we are here to support the sharing of experiences and emotions through storytelling. Not only do we believe this can foster empathy and a sense of community, it helps keep those we have loved and lost, forever in our hearts.

Find peace in remembrance: Share a loved one’s story for free today at My Tributes.