Lifestyle Benefits of Old Photos 6/20/2023 | By Terri L. Jones While it can seem like an unproductive use of time to flip through old, weathered photos and albums, the benefits of old photos – besides the simple joy of the act – can make the time worthwhile. Writer Terri L. Jones shares what she learned in sorting through her mother’s collection. My mother loved to take photos – of her family, her pets, her home, her vacations, and even of strange things, like the food in her refrigerator! She printed most of these photos, writing on the back who was in the photo, the date, and sometimes even a hilarious caption that reflected her unconventional perspective on life. So, when my mom passed away last year, she left behind thousands of prints, which my sister and I had to sort through and decide what to keep. Staring at that mountain of albums and photo boxes, I must admit that I was overwhelmed by the work (and the emotion) that was in store for me and my sister. But, as it turns out, this seemingly never-ending task has also been an enlightening and even joyous experience for us. While you certainly don’t want to live in the past, remembering and reflecting upon the people and events that got you where you are today can have a positive impact on your well-being and outlook on the future. Here’s how: Four benefits of old photos Looking through old albums and photos: 1. Relieves pain Scientists have found that spending time looking at photos and other nostalgia can actually have an analgesic effect. By reducing activity in two areas of the brain associated with pain perception, reminiscing about your past can help mitigate headaches and other low-level pain. The activity of flipping through albums and remembering those long-ago times can also serve as a welcome distraction from those nagging aches and pains.Improves mood Easing a headache isn’t the only way nostalgia can make you feel better. When you’re feeling lonely, sad or missing your earlier life or someone in it, the act of reminiscing has been shown to give comfort and security and even make you happy. The key is to try not to focus on what you’ve left behind but rather what you’ve gained from those people or experiences. 2. Encourages optimism Looking at photos, which typically recall happy experiences, can help you overcome “negativity bias” or the common tendency to remember the bad stuff rather than the good. When times are tough, Psychology Today advises calling to mind these happy memories to show you that there’s a reason to be optimistic. Even being reminded of past adversities can prove that you got through it before and can do it again! 3. Revives memories “Memories fade and can become contaminated without a visual record backing them up,” Elizabeth Loftus, a psychological science professor at the University of California, Irvine, told NPR. “A photo is an excellent vehicle to bring you back to a moment.” However, simply taking photos is not always an effective way to preserve those memories, as your brain may be too preoccupied with capturing the shot. That’s why it’s so important to “take the time to look at photos after the experiences and reactivate those mental representations,” said Linda Henkel, a psychology professor at Fairfield University in Connecticut, in the same NPR story. 4. Gives perspective They say that when you die, your life flashes before your eyes. Flipping through my mother’s many photos has given me much the same experience. It’s been like hitting rewind on my life and seeing it for the rewarding, loving, charmed existence that it’s been. It’s also kept a part of my mom alive for just a little longer. While sorting through that last pack of photos felt like an ending, I plan to return often to the photos I chose to keep and remember the woman that my mother was and the life she helped me create. Related to the benefits of old photos: 6 Ways to Part with Sentimental Items While Decluttering Plus: Benefits of Nostalgia Read More Terri L. Jones Terri L. Jones has been writing educational and informative topics for the senior industry for over ten years, and is a frequent and longtime contributor to Seniors Guide.