Valentine’s Day excuse! Feeling sad or stressed sees us struggle to remember everyday tasks
The perfect excuse for forgetting Valentine’s Day! Just say you are a bit sad after research shows feeling down or stressed means we struggle to remember everyday tasks
Researchers found feeling sad or stressed can make us less likely to remember to carry out everyday tasks Volunteers reported their mood while having to remember to send messages at certain times in the day Results revealed that as participants’ mood changed from more negative to more positive, they were more likely to remember the task
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It’s happened to the best of us – you wake up on Valentine’s Day and realise you’ve forgotten to buy your partner a card.
But fear not. This year, at least, you can blame it on your mood brought on by the pandemic.
Researchers have found feeling sad or stressed can make us less likely to remember to carry out everyday tasks.
A team at the University of Aberdeen asked volunteers to report their mood while simultaneously having to remember to send messages at certain times in the day
Results revealed that as participants’ mood changed from more negative to more positive, they were more likely to remember the task
A team at the University of Aberdeen asked volunteers to report their mood while simultaneously having to remember to send messages at certain times in the day.
Results revealed that as participants’ mood changed from more negative to more positive, they were more likely to remember the task.
The study, published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology, is the first to show how mood can have an effect on memory in ‘real-world’ settings.
Dr Francesco Pupillo, who co-led the study, said: ‘This is another piece of the puzzle that shows the potential of positive mood for helping us remember and complete tasks.
‘And, yes, perhaps if you have forgotten a special day, or Valentine’s Day – you can maybe get away with it by blaming the pandemic blues.’
Co-author Dr Katharina Schnitzspahn added: ‘Leaving the office in a happy mood on Valentine’s Day should make it easier for us to remember buying those flowers on the way home.’
