Memories That Shield Us From Tough Times

This is Part 2 of my article on Overcoming Negativity.

The graduation pictures of my parents are still displayed along the corridor inside my house. They bring back memories of days gone by. And whenever I feel down and disappointed, I often look at their pictures and at times look at old photo albums that contain pictures of my childhood. Instantly, always feel well and good. It’s some sort of a therapy to me. Remembering the good old days inspires us to be strong in these tough times.

“There are places I remember / All my life though some have changed / Some forever not for better / Some have gone and some remain / All these places have their moments / With lovers and friends I still can recall / Some are dead and some are living / In my life I’ve loved them all.”

The words of John Lennon (1940-1980) in the above 1965 song “In my Life” defines memories from one’s past in simple and straightforward way. I can’t find any much more fitting words for this year’s All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

How does remembering and recalling memories affect how you are now? Research shows that areas of the brain that recall or remember past memories work as if they “actually” experience the event, happening, person, or place for the first time. Thus when the feeling is that of happiness, the brain sends messages to the body and the same happy feeling is experience by the person. The same happens when the experience is upsetting or terrifying.

Loyola University brain studies in the United States came out with results that a person’s recollection of happy and fantastic events in the past gives beneficial effects to the body. The person also feels super relaxed and the hormonal play and other body systems function positively. 20 minutes of recall of good memories a day can make people more cheerful than they were the week before. Reminiscing has been found as a mood booster.

(To be continued)