by maja milewskaHalloween is a one-of-a-kind celebration, playing on our fears and fantasies. The traditionally American holiday is becoming more and more popular around the world. The customs and rituals typical for Halloween, like trick-and-tricking children, scary movies, decorations, and adults carefully choosing costumes to express something about who they are or want to be, can reveal a lot about the human mind and behaviour. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the holiday has served as a rich source of inspiration for social psychology researchers. In this article, you will learn about a selection of fascinating studies connected with this yearly event.
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By Ilse alfonsIMost are aware that exercise has positive benefits for mental health. The NHS recommends that adults should do a physical activity every day, including strengthening activities on at least 2 days of the week, with a minimum of 150 minutes of moderately intense exercise a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week. They further indicate that physical activity can not only increase self-esteem, sleep quality, and energy, but can also reduce the risk of stress, dementia, depression, and Alzheimer’s. Whilst the general public is expected to incorporate this into their daily lives as it suits them, for the elite athlete (whether in school, university, or as a professional career) this – along with nutrition, discipline, and routine checks on their physical health – is the minimum expected of them. So, if they are constantly doing activities which should reduce the risk of psychological distress, why do athletes experience depression?
by sumbul syedHave you ever changed your path after seeing a black cat crossing the road? Do you always wear a set pair of jeans while going for an exam? Superstitions surround human beings. We are wired with magical thinking. But before we explore more, it’s essential to understand what ‘superstitions’ are. Superstitions are a result of falsely associating a cause to an effect. Suppose yesterday you wore a black pair of jeans and aced your exam. You may want to wear it for your next test for good luck, and end up thinking it wasn’t your hard work but wearing the jeans what helped you get a good grade. Superstitions make sense from an evolutionary point of view. Our ancestors had to look out for predators constantly. Even the slightest sound of grass rustling cried for their attention as it could have meant the enemy was waiting to strike. Or it could have been only the breeze that was causing the grass to rustle. However, pre-historic humans could not take the chance and would flee. Moreover, if rustling sounds were mostly heard during a particular event, say a full moon our ancestors would make false associations without any evidence and think it was the full moon causing dangerous predators to approach them.
by ilse alfonsiYoga originated in northern India over 5,000 years ago, and forms one of the six schools of philosophy in Hinduism. There are nineteen different kinds of yoga, and each branch has its own path to spiritual enlightenment and true acceptance of ourselves.
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