MEMORIES

Why nostalgia gives us joy

Bridging a connection to our past and to our people, there’s good reason to treasure our traditions, discovers Kellie Gillespie-Wright

Christmas is decorating the tree as a family, and wrapping gifts while listening to my favourite festive album from 1994. It’s attending Midnight Mass after a few drinks at the pub, and gathering around the TV to watch It’s a Wonderful Life while filling my face with a tub of Quality Street. Well, it is for me, at least; we all have our own traditions that are uniquely special to us. But have you ever wondered why we cling to them so tightly, why they bring us such comfort, and what psychological forces drive us to engage in these activities year after year after year?

Christmas is a time when we all seek comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging. And whether you’ve realised it or not, nostalgia for the past and the repetition of long-held traditions is a crucial part of that. We find solace in the familiar sights, sounds, and activities that have come to define the festive season. From the longing for familiarity to the mood-boosting benefits of ‘anticipated nostalgia’, these customs offer far more than mere surface-level enjoyment. But what is it about repeating these rituals that gives us that warm, fuzzy feeling?

Psycholog y has some very interesting answers, one of which is that humans love predictability and stability. We love it so much that up to 93 per cent of our actions can be predicted ahead of time, according to a study by Professor Albert-László Barabási. Part of the reason for this is that it makes things easier, and Christmas is no exception. Imagine if you had to start from scratch every year, working out what to eat, what decorations to use, what to wear, and who to meet with. With so many potential choices, it’s no surprise that we fall back on traditions to simplify the situation and make it easier for us – and provide some emotional benefits, too.

‘Christmas rituals often give us a sense of predictability, which in turn brings comfort in a chaotic world,’ says psychologist and author of The Leader’s Guide To Wellbeing (FT Publishing International, £16.99), Dr Audrey Tang. The regularity of Christmas provides an anchor in an uncertain world; we may not know what lies ahead in our distant future, but we do know that it’s guaranteed Christmas will roll round again – and it will probably be pretty much the same as last year! This reinforces our sense of order and meaning in the world.