MTVTurns out there's a legit scientific explanation why we're all still obsessed with binge watching reruns of The Hills. And Friends. And Sex and the City. And everything ever from our youth. Do you ever wonder why it feels so dang good to melt into the couch to a binge session of Saved by the Bell, though? Or why you scream, "OMG! This is my jam," like a college girl, all 900 times Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas is You" comes on during the holidays? It appears, according to science, nostalgia makes us feel better about life. Author of Heaven and Hell: The Psychology of the Emotions, Neel Burton, told the Huffington Post, "Nostalgia can lend us much-needed context, perspective and direction, reminding and reassuring us that our life is not as banal as it may seem. It also tells us that there have been -- and will once again be -- meaningful moments and experiences." Amen, boo! Finally an explanation for our insatiable '90s nostalgia cravings!
The article notes nostalgia and repetition (like that time you joyfully watched mindless hours of Hey Arnold reruns even though you've seen every episode 78 times) is a pairing that your noggin really digs. Researchers have found humans are into doing things over and over. Derek Thompson noted in The Atlantic, we feel good watching or listening to things over and over because it is easy for us to process. Does this also explain why we obsessively keep reaching for our chocolate Snickers Trees? Huffington Post also says research has shown nostalgia makes people feel more hopeful about the future and can help battle those icky feelings of loneliness and even anxiety. So what you're saying is we can swap out weekly therapy for Netflix and chill sessions instead? So incredibly okay with this.
What are your thoughts on this research? Tell us in the comments!
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