As summer gives way to fall, and the colder climate moves in, many people find that their mood shifts with the season, and not for the better. Recently, I was reading a fascinating article published in the journal of Emotion, entitled Heartwarming Memories: Nostalgia Maintains Physiological Comfort. The authors noted that while a significant amount of research exists regarding the impact of thoughts/emotions on pain, little had been done in this area as linked with thermoregulation, specifically related to the feeling of temperature.
The authors focused on the experience of nostalgia, which they noted was defined by the New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) as “a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.” Using a clever, well-orchestrated series of studies, they set about to test a number of hypotheses. They first posited that when temperatures are colder, people tend to be more nostalgic. In the first two studies, they obtained measures of nostalgia from participants and compared them both to the natural temperatures that existed at the time of the ratings, and manipulated room temperatures, which were different for three groups. In both studies, participants who experienced colder temperatures were significantly more nostalgic than those that didn’t.
Then, in the third study, the researchers set out to determine if induced nostalgia, using music, would increase personal ratings of warmth in comparison to those who didn’t experience nostalgic feelings. It did. But to combat possible mediators, including a possible bias in which nostalgia and “warmth” are seen as interrelated, and thus a rating of one would likely be associated with a rating of another, study four was devised. In this study, participants were asked to bring to mind a nostalgic circumstance, or just an ordinary situation, that might have occurred. Then, they were asked to estimate the temperature in the room (which was a constant 16 degrees Celsius for all participants). Those who experienced nostalgia, on average, rated the temperature of the room almost 2.5 degrees warmer than those who didn’t.
Finally, experimenters set out to test whether nostalgia could not only create greater warmth in innocuously cold situations, but also noxious (extreme) ones. Using a cold pressor test, participants were directed to see how long they could hold their dominant hand in a water bath at 4 degrees Celsius. Once again, those who experienced a sense of nostalgia held their hands in the water, on average, over six seconds longer than the control participants, and subsequent analyses indicated that this was not just associated with greater positive versus negative affect.
In discussing their overall findings, the authors posited that self-induced emotions, such as nostalgia, not only hold promise for temporary thermoregulation, but also other states, such as feeling hungry or thirsty. As had been found previously with pain and other interoceptive feelings (physiological sensations of the body), increased evidence indicates that the induction of particular psychological states holds great promise in dealing with the differing levels of discomforts that many people experience every day.
In another series of studies, published under the title Warmer Hearts, Warmer Rooms, researchers wanted to determine if feelings of communion with others was associated with a greater perception of physical warmth. In the initial study, when participants focused on communion/relational personality traits of a fictitious individual, when compared with a focus on traits related to a person being competent, they not only perceived the first individuals as having a warmer personality, they also rated the ambient temperature of the room two degrees (Celsius) higher on average.
In the second study, researchers looked at room temperature comparisons for those focused on positive relational traits (e.g., honest, friendly) versus negative relational traits (e.g., rude, unfriendly); further comparison was also made to both positive and negative agentic (competence-related) traits. In this study, those who focused on positive relational traits perceived the room as more than 4 degrees warmer than those who focused on positive agentic traits, suggesting that the heightened perception of temperature was not just related to positive attribution, but specific to feelings of relational warmth/communion. Finally, in the 3rd study, communion was broken into two primary elements- sociability and morality-while agentic traits were broken into competence and dynamism. Findings indicated that when participants focused on sociability, their rating of the temperature of a coffee cup was significantly higher than those participants who focused on morality, competence, or dynamism. A morality focus resulted in significant higher temperature ratings than the dynamism condition, and marginally higher temps than the competence condition. Overall, findings provided support that feelings of interpersonal warmth and communion resulted in perceptions of greater ambient temperature.
Recently, our youngest son, Sam, and daughter, Kate, were balking at eating zucchini, which had turned out to be the bumper crop of our garden this past year. Sitting at the island in the kitchen, they had convinced themselves that it was unpalatable, and that any attempt to eat it would automatically lead to an unpleasant reaction. But as we talked to them about the power of their brain [perspective], we discussed how a negative attitude about the vegetable would automatically result in a distasteful perception. But, on the contrary, if their brain indicated that the zucchini was perfectly fine (even if not the most delectable food imaginable), then their taste buds would become more agreeable. In what turned out to be a positive parenting moment, which certainly isn’t always guaranteed despite reasonable efforts, Sam downed the zucchini, and matter-of-factly remarked, “That actually works. It wasn’t too bad.” He then proceeded to try and convince his sister of the same.
Obviously, circumstances aren’t always as simple as the zucchini transformation. But what science and experience has uncovered is that when faced with an unpleasant situation, even at the most extreme level, what we choose to think about in those moments carries marked potential for altering not just our feelings and behaviors, but even our internal sensations, such as the degree of warmth or hunger we feel. As noted in the studies above, and in my own experience, it appears that when we are able to link our temporary discomforts to something more meaningful than our present state, it can literally change the way we feel on the most basic level. Those who are taught this early and often are much more likely to embrace this for their entire life, but the great news is that even for those who weren’t formed in this way, opportunities still abound.
In taking an applied perspective, let’s consider the idea of taking a walk on a cold morning, which is something that many might find themselves avoiding even though the activity would be quite beneficial for their physical and psychological state. While nothing can be done to change the outside temperature, there are four dimensions of discernment that can turn a frigid walk into much “warmer” and more appealing activity. These dimensions are physical, psychological, social, and spiritual.
The most obvious of the four is the physical dimension, and most readily involves the idea of just putting on increased layers, and warmer types of clothing. Yet left alone, this may not be convincing enough, especially as a step outdoors, or increased cold intolerance with age, might provide an initial sting enough to discourage current and future activity. So, moving to the psychological state, we again consider feelings of nostalgia or connection with others, such as recollections of sledding in the snow when younger or considering the unhoused or outdoor workers (continuously impacted by cold weather), as our starting point for motivation to not avoid a beneficial walk in the cold. From there, we can think about other meaningful experiences, or even positive coping strategies, to help create a warmer psychological state that helps ward off the cold we might feel.
Moving from the psychological to the social, most of us have experienced that walking with a friend or family member not only helps pass the time quicker, but also can help moderate climate conditions that might be other than ideal. I have experienced many activities over the years with friends, including frigid runs on ice and snow, which were made so much warmer and pleasant when done together. But even when real company isn’t available for the walk, intrapersonal experiences, such as having an internal conversation about important considerations or a challenging circumstance, can be a means of taking the focus away from the temperature and moving it to the conversation being had.
Finally, and what I have always felt is the most effective warming agent, is the spiritual realm. In spending time with God in contemplation and meditation, and through conversations and prayer about all that life brings, I have found repeated warmth in some of the harshest conditions I have ever experienced. The more I found myself grateful of this time, the warmer I have felt and less I have feared going out when it is cold.
Years ago, when the polar vortex came through in early December, dropping wind chills to negative 15-25 below zero, I was scheduled for a 10 mile run alone early on a Wednesday morning. Although I layered myself as I thought was best (and had a contingent plan to stop early if needed), the cold, arctic wind was penetrating as I set off on the run. But as I found myself reflecting on other difficult, but meaningful experiences from the past, and thinking about others who didn’t have the option to easily stay out of the cold, I found that my sense of warmth increased even though looping back into the wind remained freezing. But as I continued to pray, and considered how all four of the dimensions were keeping me warm enough to finish the run, and celebrate at being back inside, I was confronted with an undeniable reality. The temperature hadn’t changed, but my experience of it had.
Many years later, this remains one of my more memorable training experiences, and ironically, one that instantly induces a sense of nostalgia and connection. While some of you reading this might question my sanity, all I can tell you is that sitting here comfortably warm on our couch in the living room, it’s not that I am craving the next polar vortex, or even walking outside right now into a chilly evening. But it is that I love knowing that warmth can be found in some of the coldest places, and that we can all experience this firsthand if we are willing to try.
