Derived from the Greek words “nostos” (return) and “algos” (pain), nostalgia is a central theme in The Odyssey as Odysseus longs for his day of return. Odysseus’ struggle to return to his homeland after the Trojan War is an early example of nostalgia in fiction.
Jeffrey Green, professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, dives into the psychology of nostalgia and similar forms of mental time travel. Along the way, Green tackles questions such as what nostalgia is and whether it is a dysfunctional, maladaptive denial of the present or a healthy, adaptive emotion. Examining triggers—how specific foods, scents, or songs can transport us back to cherished memories—and the psychology behind these sensory experiences, Green also explores the intricate connections between our senses and the emotional landscapes they evoke.
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