By |
Nostalgia is frequently felt by those of all ages and across all cultures. And guess what? It’s good for you! Yes, research has shown that nostalgia is strongly associated with better mental health and well-being. A good dose of nostalgia can flood your mind with positive thoughts and a lot of hope, which can then serve as motivation to pursue goals, feel connected, and find meaning in even the simplest things.1
That can be especially helpful for seniors, who can often feel socially isolated and lonely, as well as suffer from higher rates of depression and anxiety. Nostalgia and the motivation it brings can be enough to help someone reach out to others, share their memories, reminisce about good times, and find ways to hold onto those good feelings. The American Psychological Association says that nostalgia tends to alleviate loneliness, make individuals want to reach out for connection, and allow them to approach others with more empathy and understanding.2
And you don’t have to be in the midst of nostalgia all the time to reap the benefits. During the pandemic lockdowns, loneliness was common and social isolation became the norm for most people, not just for seniors. A 2022 study by the Journal of Happiness Studies found that when individuals wrote about a nostalgic event for only two minutes each week, they had more regulation of emotions and a psychological buffer against the loneliness of lockdown.3 If nostalgia can help so much in very difficult times, imagine what it can do in your day-to-day life!
Remembering fun things from years past can make you smile. The happiness you felt back then can be grasped and pulled forward into your present self.
Here’s a list of fun nostalgic things to consider when you’re feeling down or blue. And the good news is that not only can you remember these things and talk about them, many of them are still around for you to experience again and again in the present day.
In the Kitchen
Let’s take a look at some nostalgic things from yesteryear that can spark good emotions. We’ll start in the kitchen.
Tang
Flavors can easily trigger nostalgia. Such is the case with drinks that you might have had as a kid but rarely had again as an adult. Tang is one of those drinks that stands out not only because it was all the rage in the 1960s, but it was also associated with an historical event: the crew of Gemini 4 began flavoring their water with Tang in 1965, which made it the “drink of the astronauts.”
This orange powder immediately began flying off the shelves. Even today, the scent or taste of Tang can take you back to an exciting time.
Did you know you can still buy Tang today? Though it’s not found as easily as it used to be, it’s still out there. Ask your local grocer if they carry it or if they can order it for you, or try finding it online.
Cool Whip
Speaking of flavors that take us back to yesteryear, how about Cool Whip? It showed up on the culinary scene in 1966 and quickly became a beloved ingredient for Jell-O salads. Maybe you made no-bake pies with it as a kid – it was so easy to use that it was quite kid-friendly and served to get children in the kitchen for easy recipes they could be proud to make. Since it was so affordable, most families had a container of it tucked away in the freezer at all times.
Cool Whip is very easy to find these days, as it remains an incredibly popular ingredient for making desserts and drinks. The next time you want to make a delicious dessert, consider getting a few boxes of Jell-O and some Cool Whip to create a throwback recipe.
Orville Redenbacher Popcorn
In 1973, Orville Redenbacher appeared in his first engaging television commercial, touting the qualities of his popcorn. This enterprising man earned a degree in science and agriculture, then stayed busy in the laboratory for years to develop his signature popcorn flavor. He tested over 30,000 varieties! Finally, he created the perfect fluffy kernels and began selling them as his special brand.
Many might remember popping this popcorn over a stove burner or even outside over a fire pit, forever associating the popcorn with movie nights and the great outdoors. If you want a taste of this today, simply take a walk down the popcorn aisle – Orville Redenbacher is still a dominant force.
Crock-Pots
Though these must-have slow-cookers were introduced in the 1940s, they didn’t really take off until 1971. That’s when the Rival Company began marketing the crock-pot as a time saver for working women who wanted to put a healthy meal on the table for their families but didn’t have time to cook after working all day. The crock-pot also had the added bonus of cooking even the toughest cuts of meat into delicious, tender delicacies through hours of low and slow heat.
Today, slow cookers are quite common – almost every household has one. Some of them are quite fancy, with so many bells and whistles that it’s tough to know what they all do! But the most basic crockpots are still available – those with only a knob that sets to off, low, or high – and for an affordable price. The next time you crave a nostalgic dinner, look to these cookers to help you make one.
Those who remember Tang or figuring out which recipe to make in the crock-pot may be of an age to enjoy the peace of mind that comes from an emergency button alarm from Alert1.
In the Living Room
Now let’s move to another invention that took the world by storm and can spark feelings of nostalgia today: the television. First introduced almost 100 years ago, now this is a ubiquitous item in almost every home across the nation. Here are some of the reasons why you might have been glued to it as a kid.
American Bandstand
Music triggers emotion like few other things can. American Bandstand hit the airwaves in 1952 but grew to serious popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. The show played the top musical hits of the time and served as a way to get people to sing along, dance, and share it with their friends. Regular dancers led viewers through the hottest dance steps.
One of the most memorable parts of American Bandstand was their knack for debuting singers who weren’t known at the time but would later become household names. Prince, the Jackson Five, Aerosmith, and Sonny and Cher all made their American debuts on American Bandstand.
You can watch this nostalgic show on YouTube and sometimes on other platforms. Just know that it might make you want to cut a rug! If you do, let a medical alert pendant dance along with you.
Schoolhouse Rock
Not to be confused with the more modern School of Rock, the Emmy-award-winning Schoolhouse Rock was the show to watch in the 1970s. It mixed lessons in math and grammar with lively tunes, tapping into the recall memory that was so helpful when memorizing multiplication tables and the like. The music was so catchy, in fact, that many seniors can still remember the words after not hearing or singing the songs for decades!
Technology has evolved dramatically and now streaming services are the norm, which is great for seniors – because you can find Schoolhouse Rock on a variety of platforms, including the popular Disney+. Grab the grandkids and reminisce!
Mr. T
We pity the fool who doesn’t love Mr. T!
This man has stayed in the public consciousness for decades beyond his star turn as B. A. Baracus on The A-Team. He was immediately recognizable for his gold chains and his unique look, but he stayed in the hearts of viewers for his passion for protecting children. His storylines often included saving or helping children who were in dire straits.
But he is just as much of an advocate off the screen, serving as an inspiration to kids who are dealing with tough times. As a result, just looking at Mr. T can be enough to make a person smile. If you feel relaxed and happy when you catch a glimpse of Mr. T, you’re not alone! Now would be a great time to watch a few old episodes of the A-Team for a dose of smiles, nostalgia, and action capers.
McGruff the Crime Dog
Take a bite out of crime!
That was the catchphrase that so many began to learn in 1980, when this animated figure was suddenly everywhere. Public service announcements and commercials were the most common ways that this crime-fighting dog found his way to the television screen, but there were other ways to get the word out as well, such as through coloring books and posters.
McGruff became a massive hit as he talked about safety issues, such as locking doors and being careful about opening the door to strangers, as well as advice on handling bullies. There were messages for seniors too, such as warnings against the dangers of identity theft and how to avoid telemarketing fraud.
He’s still around today, extolling the safety tips for avoiding cyber-bullies and elder crime. In fact, the National Crime Prevention Council launched new initiates for McGruff in 2022.
Time for Play
There were so many iconic toys that emerged over the decades. We can’t possibly list all of them (we would need a series of books as long as the Encyclopedia Britannica for that), but here are some that might spark conversation and a lot of nostalgia.
Weebles
“Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down!”
That iconic commercial launched this incredibly simple yet insanely popular toy into the public consciousness. At a time in the 1980s when new technology was taking off by leaps and bounds, this simple plaything captured the hearts of millions. Kids couldn’t get enough of these small, egg-shaped and weighted toys.
The first set was a family and their dog. Over the years, the sets have grown to include a huge variety of occupations and careers, lots of kids doing fun things, and other designs that are sure to speak to anyone who wants to take a walk down Memory Lane.
Did you know you can still get Weebles? Though the original ones can only be found through eBay and other resellers, you can still purchase a new set of Weebles through Playskool by going to Amazon or even to some local department stores.
Banana Bikes
Schwinn Company created banana bikes in 1963, and children were all over them immediately. The vibrant colors and unique look of these bikes made them a household name. But they weren’t just a pretty thing to look at – they used ground-breaking technology for braking, design, and safety that transformed the bicycle industry.
Today, you can still find banana bikes at bike shops or sometimes even at your local department store. Wouldn’t it be great to hop on a banana bike and ride around with the grandkids? If you choose to strap on a helmet and ride, let a mobile alert system for seniors and elderly adults ride along with you. Whether it’s a medical alert wireless pendant or a fashionable wristband, there is an option that will suit your needs and keep you feeling safe and secure as you ride down nostalgia way.
