Getting together with family and friends very often includes a trip down memory lane. It’s very natural to reminisce and talk about old times we have shared.
It can also be beneficial for our aging loved ones who may be on their own, struggling with loneliness, or even coping with memory loss.
Ways Nostalgia is Beneficial:
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Talking about all of the things we have done and shared in our past is going to bring back great memories. All of the silly things we did as a family will make us laugh.
Laughing is a great way to relieve stress. Laughing is a natural, uncontrolled response that helps to release endorphins. These are our built-in mood elevators.
The long-term effects can help to lower blood pressure, stimulate blood flow, and even help us get a better night’s sleep. It makes us feel better to laugh with loved ones.
Improve Communication
By talking about our past, we are encouraging everyone to join in. This is perfect for getting our older loved ones to talk about things, reminisce, and share their memories.
This might even go further once they are with others to talk more. They may be invigorated by all the happy memories and then share them with others, encouraging them, as well.
Even in the moment, once the memories start to flow, your loved one may be stimulated and start to bring up more memories that you were not even aware of.
Ways To Reminisce
There are plenty of ways to engage in remembering the past. Depending on your situation, you may need to try a few different ways to get the conversation started.
Ask Questions
Have some questions ready to ask your loved one. If they are living with dementia, they may well have great memories from years past. Ask about:
- What was it like to be a teenager
- Their parents and childhood
- Their first job
- How they met their partner
- What were holidays like
These types of questions can lead to more conversation and open up far more topics to talk about.
Photos
Going through family albums is the perfect way to start memories flowing. Pictures of the past will often lead to even more fond memories.
Pictures of weddings, holidays away, Christmas, baby pictures, and other significant events all have a wonderful effect on the memory and make us feel warm, loved, and remembered.
Family Videos
Seeing ourselves in motion can have a lovely effect on our memories. We can see ourselves and others, hear what was going on, and relive those special moments again, together.
Watching ourselves from several decades ago can also bring us back to a time when we were young. We can laugh at our clothes, see long-lost relatives, and remember those days with fondness.
Make a Mixed Tape
Music is something that can take us back to a very specific time and place. Making a recording of all of our loved one’s favorite music can be a cherished memory.
Music from their youth can be so comforting. Find their wedding song, music from their favorite bands or groups, and soundtracks from movies they love.
Music for memory is very powerful. Made digitally, they can listen to it whenever they like. It can be soothing in so many ways, and that will make them happy and feel secure.
Safety First
For our loved ones aging at home, it can be worrisome for family. If you are concerned about an aging parent or loved one, consider a Medical Alert system. With 24/7/365 help available at the press of a button, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your loved is always protected.
Celebrate Memories, Strengthen Connections
We don’t always think about certain things of our past so it is nice to be reminded. Often, when someone brings up a part of a shared past, someone will say, oh, I forgot about that!
This can lead to remembering more cherished memories that can bring back such pleasant feelings and emotions. It helps everyone recall things that can make them happier.
When we talk about our lives we are connecting to our past. It brings to mind loved ones no longer with us, and helps to build memories for the next generation.