Ever found yourself holding on to that old, barely-functioning iPod, or that childhood stuffed animal that has seen better days? Maybe you still have your first-ever concert ticket tucked away in a drawer somewhere, convinced it holds some kind of magical power. Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Nostalgia has a funny way of keeping us attached to things (and people) long past their expiration dates. But here’s the good news: according to science, that warm, fuzzy feeling of reminiscing might actually be helping us keep our friendships strong.
A recent study from the University of Buffalo and Kyoto University suggests that people who frequently experience nostalgia are more motivated to maintain long-term relationships. Why? Because when we take a walk down memory lane, revisiting those golden moments with loved ones, we tend to appreciate them more. And that appreciation makes us more likely to invest time and effort into keeping those connections alive.
“People who feel nostalgic more often and value those memories are more aware of their important relationships and the need to nurture them,” explains Kuan-Ju Huang, one of the researchers behind the study. In other words, if you’re someone who gets misty-eyed over old road trip photos or replays inside jokes from years ago, chances are you’re also the kind of person who keeps friendships alive, even when life, distance, and responsibilities get in the way.
So, the next time you find yourself rewatching Friends or flipping through old high school yearbooks, don’t chalk it up to procrastination—it might just be your subconscious reminding you to check in on an old pal. Need a reason to reach out? Share a funny throwback memory and see where the conversation takes you. Who knows? That nostalgia-fueled text might just rekindle a friendship that’s been waiting for a little spark.
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