A study on depression and memory by the University of Texas found that depression reduces memory capacity by as much as 12%. The more depressed a person feels, the more difficult it becomes to distinguish between similar experiences, resulting in less memories being recorded. Researchers from Brigham Young University believe that the reason why depression affects memory is because it affects the ability to differentiate things that are similar, a process called ‘pattern separation’.

The way we process memories is particularly interesting when we look at depression. Data taken from the participants that now believed they loved asparagus as kids, demonstrated that these new (and false) memories had consequences such as an increased general liking of asparagus, greater desire to eat asparagus when dining out and even willingness to pay more in the grocery shop.įalse memories can become very ingrained and alter the way we view things. Over the course of this study, Loftus and her team, had planted the false memory that some of the participants loved to eat asparagus when they were children. In the book “ The art of making memories”, Wiking mentions a 2008 study carried out by Elizabeth Loftus, called “Asparagus a Love Story – Healthy Eating Could be Just a False Memory Away”. The problem with many memories, though, is that they can also trick us.

These, in turn, impede us from formulating healthy judgments, solving problems, adjust to negative circumstances and can lead to relationship and social problems. Negative early experiences like poor parenting, bullying at school or at home, rejection from peers or family to name a few, all contribute greatly to the development of unhealthy beliefs. This step, however, is shaped by our very own core beliefs. how they interpret and think about it, and how they behave as a result). What seems to be more important is instead the way in which the person reacts to the situation (i.e. Of course, it is not always possible to turn all life events into positive memories but, as the Cognitive Behavioural approach suggests, not all negative life events need to lead to negative results. With every hour and every day that passed, I also added to the evidence showing that I had it in me to go through with it and come the other side stronger. I became the architect of my household of memories to ensure that, when looking back, I would withdraw snippets of happiness.ĭoing so helped me, not only to get through this difficult time, but also to maintain well balanced and positive state of mind. Days that had the potential of becoming meaningless and filled with dread for the future where filled with things purposely placed around my day to give myself a sense of purpose. My multisensory experiences, as suggested by Wiking, also helped me make these memories last longer in my memory bank. Evening that could otherwise have felt empty, were filled with cozy blankets, candles, mouth-watering healthy meals, catching up with friends and good reads. It is therefore important to ensure that we deposit good memories in our memory bank so that, in the future, we are more likely to make withdrawals of happiness.Īs I recently went through a difficult and uncertain time, I have taken special care to become the curator of my deposits.

According to Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, we are the architects of our own memories.

Good memories