Fargo, N.D. – Nostalgia was for centuries considered a psychological disease and an unhealthy fixation that prevented people from living in the present. However, an NDSU psychologist has uncovered evidence that nostalgia can help people live healthier lives.

Clay Routledge, NDSU professor of psychology, will discuss his research at the December Science Café titled “The Power of the Past: How Nostalgia Improves Our Psychological and Social Health.”

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. in Stokers Basement, Hotel Donaldson in Fargo. It’s free and open to the public.

“Nostalgia benefits us is a number of surprising ways,” Routledge said. “Nostalgia is not just a fun distraction, it is an important part of our mental lives.” Routledge’s presentation will highlight the history of nostalgia and describe new studies indicating nostalgia makes people feel happy, loved, meaningful, young at heart, energized, charitable and optimistic about the future.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.