While many people grumble about having to mow the lawn, doesn’t the smell of freshly mowed grass catch your attention? If you walk down the street, you can smell the grass as the scent lingers, often bringing back memories for some people.
Dr Nick Lavidis, a neuroscientist at the University of Queensland in Australia believed that the scent could be used to our benefit, in a way that other scents are used to help ease pain (peppermint) or promote sleep (lavender). Aromatherapy is an increasingly popular form of alternative therapy – as we can tell from all scents sold today, from …read more

On this day (September 19) in 1982, Scott Fahlman posted the very first “emoticon” to a computer-science department bulletin board at Carnegie Mellon University.
According to Wired.com, the message went like this:
19-Sep-82 11:44 Scott E Fahlman
From: Scott E Fahlman
I propose that the following character sequence for joke markers:

Read it sideways. Actually, it is probably more economical to mark things that are NOT jokes, given current trends. For this, use:

And, according to Mark Stibich, Ph.D. at About.com, not only does smiling make us attractive, boost our immune systems, lower our blood pressure, and make us appear …read more

Let’s glance back at some of the topics I covered this week here at Mental Health Notes. I shared pictures during Sunday’s Brain Break, mused on the mental health repercussions for the FLDS religious sect children, explained why being kind to the earth (and not just on Earth Day!) was good for our minds, offered tips on how to nurture your mental health after a cancer diagnosis, honored National Poetry Month by recognizing famous poets with mental illness, and reminded you ALL that This Is Why I ROCK! is still accepting entries.

What are some of the big mental health advocacy …read more

I have a secret…
Want to know what it is?
Well, if I told you it wouldn’t be a secret anymore!
You have to earn it. Below are a few hints:

It’s transparent and lightweight.
You can buy your own, but freebies often arrive in the mail.
You can’t use it more than once.
You either love it or you hate it – children tend to fall into the former group.
Many, many people use it as a stress reducer and, speaking from experience, it usually works!

Think you know what it is?
Well, even if you don’t (and even if the above image gave it away, ha!) I’m going …read more