5 ways to tap into nostalgia's health benefits

WHEN PEOPLE WALK INTO KERI Piehl's retro toy store in Albuquerque, N.M., their eyes light up. Wooden spinning tops, yo-yos, trolls, rainbow lava lamps, scratch-and-sniff stickers-it's like time travel, unlocked.

- ANGELA HAUPT

Some visitors make a beeline for the games and puzzles, eager to relive their glory days. "I sell a ton of jacks to grandparents," Piehl says. "I always joke that I should have an over-50 league, because every single grandma tells me they were the best at jacks." 

Indulging in this sort of nostalgia offers a host of well-being benefits, experts say. Research suggests that yearning for the past helps us feel more connected to other people while increasing our ability to offer emotional support. Nostalgia can also help us find meaning in life, build self-esteem, and focus more on being true to ourselves; plus, it can make us happier. Interestingly, it's as much about building a better future as it is the past, experts say.