Cartoons

There is saying: ''a picture is worth 1000 words''. Cartoon, originally, is a hard paper board used for impressing shapes. This concept is also used for making graphics popularly know as cartoons. Cartoons as such are pictorial impressions created by cartoonists. They are drawings or pictures in a full-size pattern, for graphic expression in any available information channel.

Cartoons are popular because of their funny expression of truth in life. They often make us laugh. They convey a message that strike to the heart of the matter. Cartoon graphics must communicate ideas very quickly. Cartoons should strike the viewer and provide food for thought. Cartoonists insert a thought on any frame they create. Elusive feelings like sorrow, happiness, anger etc., are issued in them, but  in an articulated way.

Cartoons have categories bases on events or instances such as Business, Office, Sales, Babies, Family, Kids, Marriage, Animals, Pets, Professions, Politics, Psychiatry, Science, Education, Teaching, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, and others. Cartoons are used in Newspapers, Newsletters, Advertising, Websites, Presentations, Magazines, Books, Greeting cards, Blogs, Textbooks, Internet, Intranets, Manuals, Cover sheets and anything else that could benefit from a good expression and pronounciation. Cartoons can be customized with logo design, mascots, symbols, etc.

Caricatures and cartoons

Many artists can drow caricatures. Caricatures are funny and/or critical cartoons commenting on any activity done by real people. Following some activities and expressing them in pictorial can be a  tough job for regular graphic artists. Cartoonists can make it easily as it is his/her skill. A Cartoonist can draw comically distorted drawings on any activity. Making caricatures of politicians and celebrities is a common and popular practice. Many daily newspapers employ a cartoonist for publishing daily cartoons on political issues, social issues and other issues, with a touch of comic expression. 
The greatest political cartoonist of the late 19th century was Thomas Nast, who was noted for his cartoon crusades against political corruption in the United States. Nast popularized the symbols of the country's major political parties and leaders in a form of cartoons.
In television there are many exclusive cartoon programs, with the  purpose of attracting the viewers. Their impacts can be conveyed for delivering important messages.

Cartoon Characters

Cartoon Characters can look like real human beings, or can be totally imaginary. In any case they show human activities, like feelings, thinking, reaction, consistency, dress code and moods. There are many exclusive cartoon characters, and some of them made their creators very famous.

Cartoonists

Cartoonists have the born qualities for creating graphics for their livelihood. Their practice, opportunity and interest, take them to a respected position. They are aware of many things happening around. They have such ideas and thoughts that can be utilized for society. Many cartoonists are degree holders in fine arts or graphics design. Many of them are skilled also in computer technology for advanced implementation. They come across many experiments, to explore many creativities and ideas during their studies work. Their competitive environment might help them a lot in career building.

AniBoom has many promoting events and opportunities for aspirant cartoonists and graphics artists. The events, like seminars, workshops, and contests, are helping many aspirants worldwide.

About the Author

 Shakir A.

Shakir A. is an independent writer on topics like marketing of products and services through electronic media, especially for Entertainment, creatives and movies. For details log on to ''aniboom''.

Comics Thoughts

You there. Yes, you, the one who likes comics, don't be shy, step forward. There are very few forms of expression as misunderstood as this. Decades of prejudice have created the stereotype that the 9th art is an immature, simplistic stupidity concerning men with muscles and tights, able to fly and explode stuff, suitable only for the smaller ages and yet better off without it. Well, if that's how much you know about the subject, allow me to observe that you know nothing at all.

There were always comic books not like those indifferent ones that come out every month in vast quantities. If you just know where to look, there's no way you won't find something valuable, even in a huge industry like this one. 

I'm talking about those interesting, dark, realistic or not, innovative, ground breaking stories, that come accompanied by captivating art. Each issue is a work of art on its own, every month coming to you in an approachable price and form. 

Today, more than ever, with hundreds of different titles being published every month, there's a whole pile of junk threatening to overwhelm us. 

But fear not, the same applies for those great comics, that seem to be taking the place they rightfully deserve, in the hearts of readers and the minds of critics.

Some of the greatest creators in related fields have turned to comics, and that's not accidental. Writers and artists worked together in this brave new world, using its potential: Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, Alan Moore, Frank Miller and so many more. 

All of them are proof that it's not kid cartoons we're talking about, but a new form of art, with an adult target group, destined to change the way we think about text and picture, using a combination of them in a way, maybe not that traditional as literature, but promising and fresh. 

It took some hard years for the comics industry to grow up and get wise, but the mistakes of the past have helped. The production is now evenly matched with the demand, the companies are more responsible and the readers significantly more mature and demanding. Comic reading is no more for the geeks, or for those too bored to read a book, or even only for the guys. People who would be concerned to be totally irrelevant to the subject, nowadays show a great interest in these new suggestions, that are willing to get you to places none ever took you before.

Arm yourselves with patience and persistence. The quest ahead of you is hard, but a promising one. You might stumble upon cheap art, naive stories and uninspired characters, but keep searching. For there are some worth it, capable of traveling with you to lands unreachable and dreams unspoken. You may lose yourselves in magic stories and even better, you may reappear a better person. It happens every day!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eleutherios Borrias

Eleutherios Borrias is the owner of ''Comic Art'' and a passionate fan of Comics. You can, in his website, find some great info ofcomics and especially of DC Comics and Marcel Comics.

News writing - how to write a sports report in 4 steps

News writing style is just as important for sports reporting as it is for general news, business stories or any other journalistic work.

The advantage of sports writing is that you are allowed to a little more freedom in your choice of words. In crime or business writing, you are restricted in your use of adjectives and adverbs, and are encouraged to focus more on nouns and verbs.
Sports writing, however, allows you to go to town in describing plays, the atmosphere, fans and other colorful aspects of a sporting event.

For this article, we will go through, step by step, how to write a straightforward sports report using quotes.

Ideally, any sports story would have quotes from the winners and losers. Indeed, many sports articles are written around what athletes say rather than what they have achieved on the field of play.

However, you also have sports articles written without quotes. When rookies learn how to write like a journalist, especially in sport, they are likely to come across the structure that we will show you here.

We will adapt the NBA game between Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers on April 1 as our example article.

1. Intro - the most important news aspect of a sports game is the score. Who won? How did they win and what effect did the victory have? Also important is whether we are writing from a Boston perspective or Cleveland. In this case, we will go with Cleveland.

"Cleveland Cavaliers lost 98-96 to the Boston Celtics after Delonte West's sank two free throws in the final seconds, dropping three and a half games behind the Pistons for the best record in the Eastern Conference."

2. More info - The above is enough for those who have a passing interest in the sport. However, NBA fans would want more information and you could give it to them in one or two paragraphs.

"The Cavaliers were without star player LeBron James, suffering from a knee injury, while the Celtics were minus Paul Pierce. Gerald Green led the way for Celtics with 25 points while Kendrick Perkins had 12 points and nine rebounds.

The Cavaliers, for whom Larry Hughes scored 24 with Sasha Pavlovic scoring 17, have already qualified for the play-offs while Boston are out of the running."

3. Quote - This is where you can provide a quote from the coach or a key player from both teams. You can precede each saying with a lead-in paragraph or go straight into the quote.

"Celtic forward Al Jefferson, said: 'They were missing their best player and we were missing our best play. We just stuck in there.'

Cavs coach Mike Brown said James' absence was a key factor in their loss.

'We miss LeBron. We miss LeBron every time he doesn't play. He's our guy,' said Brown."

The thinking behind sports articles is that people would have watched the game on TV anyway and would not want boring game description. Therefore, quotes from the people who matter, such as athletes and coaches, would offer better reading value.

4. The rest - Once you got the main information and key quotes out of the way, you can go on to describe the game. Even better would be to describe just one or two plays and include more quotes.

There are many types of sports news writing that is offered around the world everyday. We have merely showed you its simplest form. Certainly, it is a rewarding form of news writing for journalists who love their sport. And the structure they use allow them to adapt their skills to any type of journalism writing.

About the Author
Nazvi Careem is an experienced journalist, writer and writing coach who has written for newspapers, magazines and global news agencies such as Reuters, Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. To download a free chapter of his book on news writing secrets, check out his website dedicated to the art of news writing.

Mortal Engines - the movie

This movie is about confrontations between moving futuristic cities, sometimes a real clash of giants of iron and stone, that provides a more creative action movie than any blockbuster this year in Hollywood.

The story is the stuff from which real nightmares are made, but also a great starting point for science fiction movies. ''Mortal Engines'' is based on a series of youth books dealing with young people born into a horrifying, but fascinating at the same time, post-apocalyptic world.

The background story for the plot is called "The 60 Minutes War". Within one hour in the 21st century, the nations of the world have destroyed each other, and the majority of people and the natural conditions that allow it to exist. The plot itself takes place about 1,000 years later, after the world has undergone a technological, economic and political reform and is composed, among other things, of independent cities.

Unlike the classical days of Greece, the future cities are mobile - they have adapted themselves to a resource-free world with chains that make it possible to move like a huge tank.

This is how we meet at the beginning of the movie London, which runs a wild chase after a small German settlement in order to swallow it as a kind of fuel. They call it "municipal Darwinism".

The 60-minute war eliminated most of the technologies and most of civilization, thus driving humanity into an electric prehistoric era in the spirit of the 19th century.

Mankind combined new technological developments and archaeological discoveries of old technologies. In such a world, an air battle between a hyper-sophisticated plane and an upgraded balloon is commonplace. It's a world where curious engineers and archaeologists have equal potential to achieve technology that will change the rules of the game.

In this respect, "Mortal Engines" is excellent. The world is luxurious and layered, merging past and future, nature and technology, in a spectacular and charming way. The action is rich in images, and in masses of moving parts in every frame that energize the journey. Even when a scene is just a dialogue in a room, the director makes sure to remind us that the room is only a cell in a wonderful machine city that is constantly in motion.

The mobile city also represents a beautiful representation of the British classes who have also returned to a rigid division. It is still a democracy, but one that is based on fighting for survival and therefore its bloodthirsty citizens.

The director created wonderful and fascinating cities, that manage to ignite the imagination. It is not just London - every city and town is an independent state, a small world that is built up to the last detail, rich in cultural and technological history.

Humanized Map Principles

At the very heart of the map, like the movie, is the narrative platform, as a means of mass communication, as visual art, a product of expression, as a language with distinct syntax and built-in grammar.

What are the building blocks of the map as a language? What are its components and how does the manipulations they generate work?

As in the case of any language, the cartographic syntax also operates within the framework of some particular "logic."

The cartographic language is a diverse terminological system that includes data collection, editing and interpretation.

The basic elements of the satellite image may be: size, angle, camera movement, lighting, and more.

From here begins the process of interpreting the photographic expression in the direction of a cartographic expression - a map.

Every action from here on is an appeal on the realist example. Every action creates a response, there is no action without a counter-action, the combination of the two is the heart of the matter. This creates a drama that begins and ends in combination.

The map is building and organization of a composition. Creating the map is a process similar to creating a movie. We activate in the mind of the map reader: angles, axes, motions, and all visual components in space. The cartographer is actually a director. All possible visual elements are engineered into the map.

Like any cinematic shot, the map also has one central component in the general picture, which can be called dominant. It is highlighted by the artist through graphic embossing of color, blurring, and more.

The aerial photograph as an objective camera, a fly on the wall, is a tool for voyeurism and an invasion mechanism. The larger the zoom, the greater the invasion of others life.

That's why the cartographer has to be subjective. He has to wander over the photograph like a mobile camera, extract meanings, and express his inner world.

Using as many graphic tools as possible, he creates a composition, by which he transforms the two-dimensional photograph into a three-dimensional creation. The 3D, which is a basic concept in the brain, requires the map reader to create a vanishing point of consciousness, a synthesis, which is the necessary conclusion for him from reading the map's data. The graphic vanishing point is created by highlighting certain elements at the expense of others. The vanishing point of consciousness is, to a large extent, also the visual vanishing point - the focal point.

Symmetry, therefore, becomes only one instrument of many species in the cartographer's toolbox. The photographed space is for him a means of expression. He breaks it by emphasizing or assimilating various elements.

Space design techniques are also a means of emotional-Pavlovian conditioning.

The cartographer creates space inside a space. It intensifies the dimension of depth by creating images, by changing focus.

The map creates a cinematic character, as every movie creates a cartographic figure. For example, movies dealing with the city. The fetishization of urban space exists in both films and maps. The city, movie, or map, may be perceived as threatening or friendly, foreign or close, and so forth.

Underlying the reading of the map is the map legend, which serves as an introduction to its principles. The legend enables understanding of the cartographic image as a semiotic array of: sign, signified, marked. This is the basic language of the concepts that build the map, and its principles of interpreting it.

The entrance gate to each map is formalism, which is a style under the "realist example." This is similar to basic concepts and basic patterns of the objective camera.

Then comes the question of the cartographic composition. The spatial arrangement as an emotional manipulation, space as a figure, space as a means of expression. Realism has to become a style, through the vanishing point of consciousness, and the symmetrical space becomes an asymmetrical space, the object of aesthetic choices.

Maps manipulates the dimensions of space and time. They takes us to many places and times. They may create a continuous consciousness or static consciousness. A dynamic map, liberated and dramatic, creates an entirely different emotional state from a static map.

That is how the narrative is created. The map is a plot anchored in narrative. It is an information channel that includes text and sub-text, as continuous and coherent as possible, which includes repetition, memory and recollection as basic principles.

There are map genres. The genre is a premise in cartography. Over the generations, genre principles have become the cornerstones of map art, such as the genres in classical Hollywood cinema.

The genre makes editing the map clearer. This is done through rhythm, images, associations, and so on.

In addition, it is possible to present maps as cinematic works, on video clips, through camera movement, and various editing combinations.

Many maps are currently being presented accompanied by soundtrack and cinematic music.

In the past it was the storyteller who wandered from city to city and told his experiences against the background of his journey map. 

Today, cinema and the modern soundtrack make it possible to synthesize sound and image, and to present maps according to cinematic principles.

A satellite photo of Northern California

Physical map of northern California

Map of northern California settlements and roads

Human Extinction By 2030 -Climate Disruption - The Movie

Climate Disruption The Movie was uploaded to highlight the overwhelming about of scientific information pointing to human extinction by 2030. Governments, and Universities they control, are in denial.

Smell Your Way to a Better Mood

You can change your mood by changing what you smell. Smell has a powerful effect on behavior. Certain smells can brighten our moods and lift our spirits. Some smells we find repulsive and alert us to danger. If smells are such powerful influencers of moods and behavior doesn't it make sense that changing the smell can also change the behavior?

You can change your mood by changing what you smell. Quick: Which of our five senses more than any other influences our behavior? Triggers our memories? Controls our cravings? Enhances our moods? Ignites our sexuality?

If you replied, "It's our sense of smell," then you're smarter than most. We live in a culture that overwhelms us with stimulation delivered through sight and sound. Even taste and touch are highly valued and utilized to expand our experience of pleasure and sensuality. But our sense of smell has been relegated to the bottom of the sensory pile. It's an unfortunate place to be for a sense that's primarily responsible for our quality of life.

Unlike the other senses, our sense of smell is always on duty. Each day, without any thought, we breathe in over 23,040 times and inhale over 238 cubic feet of air. Each breath floods our smell receptors with information about the environment we live in. Smells of pleasure. Awareness. Danger. Sexual attraction. We are capable of recognizing approximately 10,000 different odors, with each odor having the power to influence our moods and behavior. However, most people would be hard pressed to identify more than a couple of dozen. Such is the mystery of this enigmatic sense.

Smell has a powerful effect on behavior. Certain smells can brighten our moods and lift our spirits, like the smell of a good cup of coffee and warm cinnamon buns straight from the oven. An exotic perfume or the smell of your lover's skin can lead to intimacy and romance while other scents bring a sense of calm and make us feel at home.

Some smells we find repulsive and alert us to danger. Just think of your reaction to the stink of a dead skunk on the side of the road or the smell of burning toast. Such strong smells usually trigger an instant reaction and alert us to take corrective action.

Aromas delivered directly to the smell receptors in our brain have a powerful effect on our behavior. Since birth, our smell receptors have been busy cataloguing every smell that passed through our nostrils. As newborn infants snuggled up against our mothers' breast, the smell of her skin gave us a deep sense of comfort and safety. That first smell, lodged deep within our memory, still has the power to trigger intense feelings.

The environment of our childhood, with its varied smells, fragrances and odors, built the platform of scent memories, which determines how we respond to the hints of those scents today. The smell of a musty basement, Thanksgiving dinner at grammas or the gym locker room after a basketball game are all powerful triggers that transport us back into our world of memories.

The brain processes information delivered through our other senses by cognitive identification first, which in turn triggers an emotional response. But our sense of smell is unique. It does the opposite. Our smell receptors are directly connected to the limbic system, which controls emotional behavior and memory. Incoming odors first trigger an emotional response, which is then followed by cognitive recognition. That's why, for example, you'll respond to the relaxing effects of lavender long before you can identify the specific aroma.

Aromas have long been used to influence behavior. Legend has it that Cleopatra perfumed the sails of her ship sent to meet Anthony so the wind would carry a hint of her desire. For centuries, doctors would diagnose various diseases by smell alone and we all know that our shopping experience is influenced by the smells funneled through the air conditioning systems. Smells are being introduced everywhere - in our household products, our homes, our cars and office environments.

If smells are such powerful influencers of moods and behavior doesn't it make sense that changing the smell can also change the behavior? Research is pointing to that probability. So while the sense of smell is the least known of our senses, it has recently emerged as a new medical frontier. As research identifies how odor is identified and transmitted, we will be able to use a variety of scents to obtain the maximum benefits we desire. It is the scents-ible approach to creating health and well-being.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Luke Vorstermans

Luke Vorstermans is the founder of The Sense of Smell Lab, a world leader in the development of innovative products that use our sense of smell to influence behavior, trigger memories, manage cravings, enhance moods and improve sexual health. To learn more about enhancing your sex drive with Scentuelle patch go to http://www.scentuellepatch.com

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Scuba Diving Equipment – an overview

Scuba diving equipment is designed to overcome the limits of human physiology in the submarine world and although the number of items may seem daunting to the beginner, everything has a clear purpose. Below we look at the main items of scuba diving equipment used in recreational diving.

Mask

Divers wear a face mask for the simple fact that it allows them to see underwater. The human eye is not designed to see in water, which has a different optical density to air. By simply having an air space between eyes and water the mask allows the diver to see, although the optical density means that all objects appear larger or closer when underwater. Traditionally masks were constructed from neoprene, which tended to age relatively quickly. Today's scuba masks generally consist of a lightweight plastic frame, glass lenses and a silicone rubber skirt that seals against the face. Modern masks also allow a smaller volume of air between the water and the face, which is an advantage because it means it is easier to equalize the pressure in the mask and simpler to clear of water.

Wet suit

While a wet suit is the most common type of suit worn in recreational diving, it is not the only type. Primarily to prevent the diver from losing body heat to the water, which conducts heat from the body at a much faster rate than air, a wet suit consists of a layer of low density neoprene which acts as an insulator and traps a thin layer of water between the neoprene and the diver's skin, also helping to minimize heat loss. The secondary function of a wet suit is to protect the diver from abrasions and other injuries, including stings and venoms.

When the water is too cold for a wet suit to be used divers can wear a dry suit, which as the name implies keeps the diver dry by sealing at the neck and wrists, while in warmer water divers can wear a lycra body suit which provides no thermal protection, but prevents against scrapes and stings as well as sunburn.

Fins

In the same way that fish glide through the water by moving their fins, scuba divers are able to propel themselves through the water by kicking their fins. Usually made of neoprene for the foot and rigid plastic for the blade, there are two main types; full foot and adjustable. With the former the diver simply places the boot of the fin over the bare foot, while adjustable fins have an adjustable heel strap and are usually worn over wet suit boots.

Scuba tanks

The scuba tank – also commonly known as a cylinder or a bottle – contains the divers breathing gas at high pressure. Usually the breathing gas is air, although in some circumstances other mixtures are also used.

The standard configuration in recreational scuba diving today attaches the tank to the BCD (buoyancy control device), often known simply as a jacket. The tank is attached to the rigid backplate with an adjustable strap and the BCD is then worn like a waistcoat and fastened at the front with a cummerbund.

As well as providing harnessing the scuba tank, the BCD is designed to allow the diver to adjust buoyancy in the water by either adding or reducing the amount of air held inside. Many modern BCDs also have pockets to hold lead weights, traditionally worn on a belt around the waist.

Regulators

The first stage regulator is attached to the top of the tank and reduces the pressure from the tank to supply the second stage as well as providing the air for BCD inflation. The latter supplies the diver with air at ambient pressure and is located in the mouthpiece on most modern equipment.

Scuba diving computers

Until relatively recently divers used tables to plan their dives, designed to reduce the possibility of decompression sickness. A depth gauge a dive watch were essential items to ensure the dive was within the limits of the table.

While divers are still taught dive table theory, most recreational divers quickly move on to buying a dive computer, which effectively calculates a custom table for each dive. More sophisticated models also connect to the air supply, so that they act as timer, depth gauge and air pressure monitor all in one.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 David Leigh

David Leigh usually dives year round in the Costa Brava in Catalonia. You can find more information about scuba diving equipment at www.CostaBravaScubaDiving.com.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Unlocking the Secrets of Your Sense of Smell: Part 12

The delivery of aromas and scent - for a wide variety of reasons - offers huge potential for the health and wellness of future generations. As researchers delve into the science behind scents, the technologic world looks for ways to mimic the precise function in which the human nose detects different scents.

What is the future of scents in our lives?

As researchers began to delve into the science behind scents, the technologic world began to seek ways to mimic the precise function in which the human nose detects different scents. In the mid 1980s the Institute of Olfactory Research at Warwick University came up with the world's first prototype "high-tech nose." Commercial versions of the "Warwick" nose are now used by perfume makers wanting to protect their secret formulas against "knock-off" versions and dock inspectors to resolve disputes with fishermen over the grading of fish.

As researchers continue to find links between patient odours and certain diseases, the use of electronic noses has become invaluable. Research is now underway to create sensors in telephones into which patients may be able to breathe and receive a diagnosis.

High-tech noses may someday be able to detect stages of a woman's menstrual cycle to either aid in fertility or prevent unwanted pregnancies. These noses may also be installed on motor vehicles and detect the alcohol level of drivers, preventing them from starting their vehicle's engines.

Our personal "scentprint" may someday prevent fake ID cards, replace PIN numbers and security entry systems.

Soon home computers may have special devices whereby people can experience various scents via the internet.

The advantages of electronic noses are that unlike the human nose, they do not become desensitized to smells, they don't get bored with repeated scents, and do not become sick by chemical odours.

High-tech Scents

With the advancement of "headspace" science is now able to analyse and reproduce the exact combinations of almost any fragrance by a process called "soft-extraction." During this process, technologists pass carbon dioxide through an object and extract its fragrance. Applications of this technology are seemingly endless. Now it is possible to fragrance our cars, offices, and homes with almost any fragrance. What's more, the food we eat and the various drinks we consume may now be enhanced with flavours that are richer and truer to life.

The science of aromachology is still in its infancy. Researchers have only begun to scratch its surface. Much more work in this area is needed to be done. As science continues to gain a better understanding of how scents are perceived, differentiated and transmitted, no doubt, the world will continue to reap its rewards and use fragrances to:

* Reduce stress levels at home and at the office

* Trigger long-lost memories

* Encourage confidence

* Enhance sexuality

* Promote relaxation

* Get rid of nightmares

* Lose weight

* Stay alert and improve work performance

* Detect the early onset of diseases

* To alleviate depression and mood swings

All of these aromatic applications are readily available - or being developed - in one way or another. Scent is not a new product but rather an age-old tradition. However it is the fusion of science and nature that is driving the growth of this research. The delivery of aromas and scent - for a wide variety of reasons - offers huge potential for the health and wellness of future generations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Luke Vorstermans

Luke Vorstermans is the founder of The Sense of Smell Lab, a world leader in the development of innovative products that use our sense of smell to influence behavior, trigger memories, manage cravings, enhance moods and improve sexual health. To learn more about enhancing your sex drive with Scentuelle patch go to http://www.scentuellepatch.com

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Unlocking the Secrets of Your Sense of Smell: Part 11

Can aromas really help to reduce our levels of stress? Rather than reaching for medications to relieve stress, many people are looking for other ways to reduce their levels of stress. Scents are a great way to relax, unwind and reduce stress.

Can aromas really help to reduce our levels of stress?

Ask any parent who works at home, manages a busy household, or looks after children if they experience stress. Or ask any parent who struggles with work outside the home and is frustrated with having no time to manage their home and kids. Today, even the haven of our homes cannot protect us from stress. At home it comes in many forms and affects both young and old.

Almost everyone today is a victim of elevated levels of stress and anxiety. Even children, much like their parents, lead hectic and stressful lives. But did you know that certain fragrances can help alleviate some of this stress?

It's true. We can use our noses to reduce our levels of stress.

Rather than reaching for medications to relieve stress, many people are looking for other ways to reduce their levels of stress. Scents are a great way to relax, unwind and reduce stress. Research at Yale University suggests that the smell of spiced apples may be effective in warding off a panic attack.

In a study conducted by Dr. Susan Schiffman, subjects were first trained to relax when introduced to a pleasant-smelling fragrance. Within just a few weeks, these subjects were able to relax the muscles over their forehead the muscles which, when allowed to remain in a tense position, lead directly to a "stress headache.

In another study conducted by Dr. Gary Schwartz subjects were asked a series of stressful questions while they were exposed to pleasant fragrances. Compared to control subjects who hadn't been exposed to these scents, those tested with fragrances were shown to have lower blood pressures, heart rates and even breathing patterns.

Stress at Work?

Who doesn't experience stress at work! In studies done by Dr. Joel Warm and William Dember, workers who were exposed to the occasional scent of peppermint showed a marked increase in alertness and improved job performance. The significance of this finding may have a large impact on the workplaces of the future.

Overall, studies have found that

* pleasant fragrances help to reduce workers' levels of stress and promote a healthy mental atmosphere.

* lemon's invigorating scent has been clinically proven to help clerical workers make fewer computer and data entry errors.

* lavender can help individuals compute equations more quickly and more efficiently.

* peppermint and lily of the valley can help individuals lengthen their attention span.

* pleasant fragrances also promote well-being in employees wherever they gather in conference rooms, lobbies, etc.

As technology continues to advance, more and more employees will be subjected to lengthy hours in front of computers. Anyone who has experienced more than an hour at a time inputting and analysing computer data knows how difficult it may be to stay alert especially during the late morning and early afternoon hours. Could it be that a whiff of peppermint may help us to stay awake more than our cup of coffee? Research in this area offers promising hope especially for those of us who have an intolerance for caffeine.

Japanese companies are putting this research to task and are seeing promising results. Workers who are exposed to regular sprays of scents via computerized odour delivery systems by way of air conditioning and ventilation systems show a marked increase in efficiency and performance. To stimulate employees at the beginning of their workday, companies are odorizing their offices with shots of citrus scents. Then late in the morning, employees are stimulated by swirls of floral-scented odorants. By mid-afternoon these employees are then exposed to invigorating woodsy cypress and cedar scents.

However, employers should be warned that some pleasant-smelling fragrances can actually have a negative impact on productivity. In one study, galaxolide, a musk-smelling scent, had a doubling effect on subject response times.

Cacosmia, or "sick-building syndrome," is a phenomenon where individuals become ill from low levels of common environmental chemical odours found in paint, building materials and even perfumes. Sufferers tend to experience daytime tiredness and are often shy and introverted. Interestingly, shy, introverted individuals have been shown to be more sensitive to smell than their more gregarious counterparts.

According to "The Smell Report, "If the 'olfactory-survival-reflex' theory is correct, it may be that people with high-smell sensitivity become shy and novelty-avoiding because their olfactory receptors transmit more primeval danger-signals making them feel more vulnerable."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Luke Vorstermans

Luke Vorstermans is the founder of The Sense of Smell Lab, a world leader in the development of innovative products that use our sense of smell to influence behavior, trigger memories, manage cravings, enhance moods and improve sexual health. To learn more about enhancing your sex drive with Scentuelle patch go to http://www.scentuellepatch.com

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com