Studies show that people who regularly
reminisce about past
positive experiences or eagerly anticipate future pleasure, such as a holiday, enhance their pleasure and therefore their mental health and wellbeing.
Overall, mothers who are elaborative when
reminiscing about emotionally
positive events are also elaborative when
reminiscing about highly negative
experiences, such as accidents and injuries requiring emergency room treatment, or natural disasters (Ackil, Van Abbema, & Bauer, 2003; Sales, Fivush, & Peterson, 2003).
But when you and your partner make the conscious choice to
reminisce about positive, pleasurable, satisfying
experiences you co-experienced (like Naomi and Pete), you end up enhancing the emotional foundation and bond of your relationship.