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Autumn brings...
Memories of warm days, cool nights, football games & trick or treating!
Dear Caregivers,
I must be getting old. I feel as though I spend more time thinking of the past than I do about the future. Does that happen to you as well?
As we know this is reminiscing, and it is good for you! Think of your most memorable costume at Halloween time, what were you, and who helped you put it together?
For me it brings back very fond memories of my parents helping all of us kids turn household items into fun costumes, like the year I was a box of Kool Cigarettes, made out of a box. This would not be very politically correct to do in 2023, but ok in 1967, which in my mind was a much simpler time. To this day, I cannot see Candy Corn without reminiscing about Halloween as a child and going out trick or treating. It brings a smile to my face as I type it.
There are studies that show that reminiscing is good for us in several ways. It helps us improve our memory by waking up a part of our brain that otherwise would be stagnant. It can take you back to when life was less complicated, simpler times with no modern technology, as we know it today.
Reminiscing can also help you to feel less isolated. It is also encouraged for caregivers as a way to communicate because it helps to boost memory.
Let us touch on one more important way it may boost your health, and well- being. When we think of something positive, especially memories that make us laugh, or put a smile on our face, our bodies release those feel-good chemicals. Therefore, memories are just plain good for us!
Happy reminiscing to you all!
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