Reminiscing about times past can stir up pleasant feelings of nostalgia. But nostalgia is more than just a warm, fuzzy feeling; it can have potent effects in the real world, according to a recent study. In earlier research, Xinyue Zhou of Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China, and colleagues found that nostalgia is psychologically important. It boosts self-esteem, provides meaning in life, and strengthens one’s sense of social connectedness. But the researchers also wanted to find out…

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Read more stories by Corinna Wu.