Beating Loneliness at Its Own Game

Remember the last time you sifted through old photographs, daydreamt about bygone days? I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for nostalgia.

But does nostalgia make us feel sad and alone?

Well a series of studies published in Psychological Science reveal that sentimental thoughts actually heal loneliness.

Researchers tested more than 1,000 people and found that those who reported loneliness also perceived they had low social support (meaning not many friends, connected family members.) But, they also reported feelings of nostalgia-which then increased their perceived social support. I guess thinking back on times with others, makes one realize that they indeed have had others in their lives.

But in a final study, researchers tested "resilience" in subjects and uncovered a caveat: It is the most resilient of people who recruit nostalgia when they are feeling lonely.

So as we head into the holiday season, try not to wallow in loneliness, dive into memories of old acquaintances instead. Oddly enough, you might just feel better.

用"怀旧"战胜孤独

还记得上次你细心翻阅旧相片，追忆昔日年华吗？我不知道你是否这样，但是我是个容易怀旧的人。

但是怀旧让我们感到伤感和孤独吗？

发表在《心理科学》杂志（Psychological Science）上的一系列研究表明，其实多愁善感能治愈孤独。

研究者们测试了1000多人，结果发现那些说自己孤独的人同时也认为他们得到的社会支持低（意思是说没有很多的朋友和亲近的家人）。但是他们也说有怀旧感觉--那么这可以增加他们的社会支持感。我猜想回忆过去与别人在一起的时光能让一个人意识到在生活中他们实际上还有朋友。

但是在最后的一项研究中，研究者们测试了受测试者的"弹性"，结果发现：最有"弹性"的人是那些在孤独的时候怀旧的人。

所以当我们进入假日季节的时候，请尝试不要沉迷在独孤之中，而是沉醉于我们和老朋友曾经在一起的时光。你会可能感觉好多了，虽然这看起来很奇怪。

Vocabulary:

Sift: 筛选

Sucker: 容易着迷的人；易于上当受骗的人

Nostalgia: 思乡，怀旧

Reveal: 显示

Sentimental: 多愁善感的

Heal: 治愈

Perceive: 认为

Resilience: 弹性

Uncover: 揭秘；发现

Caveat: 警告；防止误解的说明

Recruit: 征募；恢复

Wallow: 打滚；沉醉于...之中

Acquaintance: 认识的朋友

Oddly: 奇怪地
关键字:双语阅读
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