If you’re staying home on a Friday night to veg in front of the tube while your friends indulge in a fun evening out, you may want to reconsider. Recent research indicates creating memories might lead to feelings of gratitude, and social connectedness is the key.

A recent paper in Personality and Individual Differences revealed that feelings of gratitude, a buzz word in the mental-health arena of late, can be developed not just by writing about it in a gratitude journal, but by being nostalgic. And that nostalgia comes from looking back on fond memories with friends and family.

Several studies also indicate that those more inclined toward nostalgia showed increased gratitude. Nostalgia made the participants feel closer to others, and one study revealed that a participant listening to a nostalgic song was more thankful than those who simply listened to a happy song.

These sentimental memories aren’t just fluff, they’re your brain reminding you of connections or relationships that matter. These reminders can boost gratitude, overall well-being and ultimately help us develop feelings of connectedness and belonging at work and in communities.

So the next time you feel compelled to list what you’re thankful for in your gratitude journal, try a memory instead. Perhaps an old song or photo might just do the trick.

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