An exercise in nostalgia : the role of health optimism in the relationship between nostalgia and physical well-being

Abstract

The present research examined whether nostalgia-induced health optimism promotes attitudes and behaviors associated with better physical health. Participants, in two experiments, were randomly assigned to write about either a nostalgic (vs. ordinary) event. Following this, everyone completed a measure of health optimism (Studies 1 & 2) followed by various health intention scales (Study 2). The results revealed that, in comparison to control conditions, nostalgic reverie led to greater health optimism. Further, mediational analyses showed that this heightened optimism increased participants' health behavior intentions (e.g., eating nutritionally, exercising). These findings suggest that nostalgia may be used as a mechanism to increase the importance, perceived efficacy, and behavior associated with better physical health.