Mental Health Awareness Week, 15th – 21st May, is an opportunity to take the time to think about mental health and work towards protecting wellbeing. This Mental Health Awareness Week, photo printing experts CEWE, share insight into how looking back at our treasured memories can have a positive effect on our mental wellbeing.

When thinking about things that promote positive wellbeing, we tend to think of the obvious activities that are usually discussed including exercise, getting plenty of sleep or meditating. Of course, all of these are incredibly valuable to encourage positive wellbeing and make us feel good. But, research from CEWE actually shows that looking back at our photos has more of a positive impact. Having a bath ranked first (34%), followed by looking at photos (32%), exercise (25%), listening to podcasts (9%) and meditating (8%).

The research also further highlighted the range of uplifting and positive emotions looking back on photos of our treasured memories can have. Brits said that this makes them feel:

Nostalgic (65%)
Happy (56%)
Relaxed (31%)
Inspired (14%)
Dale Orton, Head of Photo Culture at CEWE UK, said: “When thinking about things that promote positive wellbeing, we tend to think of the obvious activities that are usually discussed including exercise, getting plenty of sleep or meditating. Of course, all of these are incredibly valuable to encourage positive wellbeing and make us feel good. But the impact of looking back at our photos and reminiscing on treasured memories is actually something that is often overlooked – but can be one of the most effective.

“Photos have a magical quality that allows us to be transported back to our happiest memories. When you capture a moment in a photograph, whether it’s a family portrait, a holiday of a lifetime or a fun weekend trip with friends – you can instantly feel yourself back in the moment just by looking at the photo. We tend to remember the things we could see, smell, hear and most importantly feel when we look back at our photos.

“This instant feeling of positivity that we get from reminiscing impacts our wellbeing in such a beneficial way – helping us to instantly feel a sense of positivity. It also helps us feel closer to loved ones and reminds us of those precious moments that we hold so close.”