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Senior Resources » A Boomer’s Memories of Quilts

A Boomer’s Memories of Quilts (Plus, 5 Ways Nostalgia Is Healthy)

It’s a bit chilly this morning, and that got this Boomer reminiscing. As a country boy, we only had one little stove that sat in the living room.  The rest of the house was without heat. Now, talk about a cold bedroom! The bed had lots of covers—flannel sheets and at least six homemade quilts, courtesy of my mother. She used fabric from discarded dresses, curtains, and so on. Then she cut the fabric into little squares and sewed them together. For lining, she sewed in old army blankets or sometimes cotton. Once you got into bed and found a comfy spot, you stayed there for the night. Tossing and turning wasn’t an issue, because the covers were so heavy that you couldn’t turn.

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Today, quilting is a hobby, and we can set our thermostats to the perfect temperature. Electric blankets keep us warm on chilly nights instead of homemade quilts. We have thick, wool socks to keep our feet warm and can wrap ourselves in luxurious robes. However, as I snuggle beneath my covers each night, my mind often flashes back to my childhood. I may’ve been cold on some bitter winter nights, but I was always surrounded by love and warmth. Life may be more convenient, but I still miss the simplicity of my childhood. I’d give anything to fall asleep beneath one of my mother’s homemade quilts again.

Health Benefits of Nostalgia

If you’re anything like me, you often find yourself nostalgic for—well, falling asleep under one of your mom’s homemade quilts, for example. While you should never be so stuck in the past that you can’t live fully in the present, nostalgia can actually benefit your health! Here are five ways it can do exactly that.

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1. Nostalgia can boost our mood.

happy senior couple

It should come as no surprise that thinking over happier times can boost our moods and make us feel happier. Why wouldn’t memories of our wedding day or the birth of our first child put a smile on our faces? While nostalgia can spark negative feelings, like loneliness or regret, it can also promote better emotional well-being.

2. It can reduce stress and anxiety.

Far too often, we live in a perpetual state of stress and anxiety. Worries run rampant through our minds. Our to-do lists grow faster than a rabbit’s family tree, perpetuating the cycle. In times when it feels like you’re drowning in stress, you may want to think back to happier times. Researchers actually show that nostalgia helps us cope with stressful situations. Additionally, it may even spur us to take positive action during times of stress and anxiety! So, the next time you’re stressed, stop for just a moment and close your eyes. Then summon a happy memory—laughing with your best friend, playing in the snow, eating your mom’s homemade apple pie. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll feel a little less on edge.

3. It may help you fight against loneliness.

lonely woman with coffee

Our world has never been more connected. Our friends and loved ones are just a text or phone call away. You can even see their faces on your screen! And yet, loneliness is an epidemic. In fact, according to the US Surgeon General, loneliness is more widespread than any other major health issue in the United States. Worse still, loneliness is detrimental to one’s health. In fact, it can chop 15 whole years off somebody’s lifespan! While the solution to loneliness is definitely to surround ourselves with people we love, there may be another weapon in our arsenal—nostalgia. If we dwell on the times we spent with friends and loved ones in the past, it can actually make us feel more socially connected in the present. It’s a simple way to chase away the blues, especially if your friends and loved ones aren’t close by.

4. Nostalgia can give you a greater sense of purpose and meaning.

younger woman hugging senior woman

We all want to know we have meaning. Some retirees may lose their sense of self and even purpose as they retire, especially if they define themselves by their work. You may not be at the top of the corporate ladder anymore, and that’s perfectly okay! If you’re floundering for a sense of purpose, reminisce on happier times. Think about when you felt truly fulfilled. Additionally, use those experiences to help others. Share your nostalgia with your grandkids or other family members. Tell them about a time you did something silly or amazing or even downright stupid. Your memories can be a legacy in and of themselves.

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5. It can trigger both inspiration and motivation.

According to U.S. News & World Report, nostalgia can actually inspire and motivate us! So, if you’re feeling low on inspiration and motivation, let your mind drift through your memories. Let yourself take a brief journey through your brain. Make sure you don’t have an extended stay. Don’t reminisce so much that it prevents you from living fully in the here and now. Use nostalgia sparingly but harness its power when you’re feeling low. Then, make sure you enjoy each moment ahead of you so you can have even more to reminisce about in the coming years. Make your golden years truly golden.

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Originally published November 10, 2023

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