Positive Reminiscence

Positive reminiscing helps us gain more from the best bits of our lives. It is a great way to shift negative emotions, boost positive emotions, and feel more at ease, whilst supporting wider wellbeing. Being able to tap into positive experiences of our past is a great way to enhance our sense of wellbeing. It’s something we all do to varying degrees without thinking too much about it (which is great because it makes it really accessible). This simple practice is about reliving a past, positive experience for the sheer enjoyment of it. It’s not about ruminating, ‘maudlin’ or being analytical, so make sure you pick experiences that are easy for you to feel positive about! Just like with ‘savouring’, what makes an experience a positive one is totally subjective, so it’s over to you on what you pick to relive. SCIENCE TELLS US… Findings from studies show us that the ability to think positively about the past helps support wellbeing. In fact, a bias in this direction is one bias that is good for wellbeing. This may be in part because it helps support positive relationships with family and friends. Whilst studies show that analysing our past doesn’t enhance happiness, replaying or reliving positive life events (a bit like rewinding and watching a video), increases joy. This subtle change in how we reflect and what we let our mind linger on, makes a big difference! Findings show it is also an effective mood regulator, helping us shift from negative emotions to more positive emotions. As with savouring, positive reminiscence is found to really help people cope when going through challenging times. HOW TO PRACTICE IT Think about a positive event (in which you felt strong positive emotions) and… Carve out some time as this is best done when you can lose track of time. Visualise it and relive it in as much detail as possible, focussing on the positive feelings experienced at the time. Focus on the good… for obvious reasons, don’t get caught up in things like the fact that you were wearing braces or had a dated 80s jumpsuit on, that now makes you cringe! Mementos (including photos) are great for making this a deeper, more enjoyable practice. Share it - this is not essential, but reliving a shared positive experience with a friend or family member can bring additional benefits. TIPS FOR PRACTISING & PERSONALISING. Focus on things that put a smile on your face… Breaking your past into life stages (pre-school, primary school, teenage years, youth, etc.), what are the most memorable positive experiences that come to your mind? Adapt it for a confidence boost - when faced with a challenging activity, tap into it and recall a successful outcome from a past challenging activity e.g.: “when I remember how I made that speech, I feel invincible!”.