Smells and Likeability

New research from Northwestern University shows that people are sensitive to infinitesimal scents that affect whether or not we like somebody.

According to ScienceDaily (Dec. 7, 2007) "We may think our judgments are based only on various conscious bits of information, but our senses also may provide subliminal perceptual information that affects our behavior."

Apparently the study showed that smells that could be detected such as perfume and loud body odor did not effect the participants decision in determining the likability of a stranger. However, scents that were not readily noticed were powerful factors in the participants decision to like or not like someone.

The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that subliminal sensory information -- whether from scents, vision or hearing -- affects perception.

*The paper "Subliminal Smells Can Guide Social Preferences" was published in the December issue of Psychological Science.

Computer Program for Healing Depression

By guest writer Caroline Lovell

Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce physical symptoms and illnesses caused by depression by over 25%, according to new research.

Despina Learmouth at City University, London, looked at the effect of the Beating the Blues interactive therapy system on 504 service users.

“These findings are significant because besides the obvious fact that alleviating depression is important for individuals’ well being, physical illnesses and symptoms are known to be made worse by mental ill health,” said Learmouth. “Pain can become worse, immune functioning can be lowered, and stress levels can be increased – leading to further potential health risks.”

Beating the Blues was recommended for use by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence last year.

In April, the (English) government issued guidance urging primary care trusts to make the system available to people with anxiety and depression.

Click here to read more about the program

Spirituality can Improve Your Mental Health

Here it is, nearly Thanksgiving already. This is a time of year that can bring on a roller coaster of feelings and moods. We have discussed in previous issues how to take care of yourself during the holidays, how to stay the winter blues and how to prevent yourself from falling into depression. But one thing that isn't much written about during the holidays is the increase of spirituality in the people around you.

Even those who don't attend church or Synagogue much during the year feel a heightened sense of spirituality during the holidays. People can be more understanding of one another, more thoughtful and generally more generous. So how, if at all, does this temporary shift in community spirituality effect those who suffer with depression or grief during this time of year?
Well a Study at the American Psychiatric Association reported: "Depressed seniors who believe their life is guided by a larger spiritual force have significantly fewer symptoms of depression than those who do not use religious coping strategies."

This is a pretty remarkable study and when you see these kind of data coming out from both medical and psychiatric populations, it s hard to continue ignoring religion as a variable in the recovery from depression. "These results indicate that clinicians should encourage reconnection with religion as a way of coping in patients whose spirituality has been important to them," concluded Dr. Bosworth.

Most of us have heard about studies about the positive effects of prayer for hospitalized patience. And until recently, those studies have gone unrefuted. However last month a group of Atheists conducted a study from which they concluded that praying for patience did neither harm nor good.

But one thing that has been made very clear in the last 20 years, is that we are not just bodies with a brain. In order to find balance in our life we need to attend to our physical, mental and spiritual health. If we neglect one, the others will suffer.

So during this holiday season, take advantage of the heightened spiritual feel in the air. Take in a deep breath of goodwill and soak in that warm refreshing feeling of peace. You always have a choice, you can bah-humbug your way through, or you can determine to do everything possible to make your holiday season as good as it gets.