The Power of Nostalgia

About this book

The first book to examine nostalgia in all its facets: what triggers it; how it shapes mind, memory, and identity; and how it provides sustaining mental resilience for both individuals and cultures in times of stress. Far more than simply a sentimental attachment to the past, nostalgia has proven to be an emotion that has a profound cognitive and social function: it is a critical part of the mind’s immune system, a coping mechanism to heal and fortify ourselves in times of self-doubt and anxiety. It has also proven to be universal, across age, gender, and culture. Underpinning the book is cutting-edge research on the emerging science of nostalgia that top neuroscientists and psychologists have conducted over the past few years, with findings that are completely unexpected. The world-class scientists at the forefront of this research have welcomed Martinez into their labs and shared both their findings and their personal stories. The head of the Mind and Brain Center at UC Davis even made her the subject of a first-ever experiment in the power of music to shape identity. But the research goes deeper, suggesting that revisiting our fondest, restorative memories - our personal golden…