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Forgetting is more difficult than remembering

Published

7 years ago

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Forgetting is more difficult than remembering

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Choosing to forget something uses more brain power than trying to remember it, according to a study that could lead to treatments to help people rid themselves of unwanted memories.

The findings, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, suggest that in order to forget an unwanted experience, more attention should be focused on it.

The study extends prior research on intentional forgetting, which focused on reducing attention to the unwanted information through redirecting attention away from unwanted experiences or suppressing the memory’s retrieval.

“We may want to discard memories that trigger maladaptive responses, such as traumatic memories so that we can respond to new experiences in more adaptive ways,” said Jarrod Lewis-Peacock, an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin in the US.

“Once we can figure out how memories are weakened and devise ways to control this, we can design treatment to help people rid themselves of unwanted memories,” Lewis-Peacock.

Memories are dynamic constructions of the brain that regularly get updated, modified and reorganised through experience. The brain is constantly remembering and forgetting information and much of this happens automatically during sleep.

Prior studies focused on locating “hotspots” of activity in the brain’s control structures, such as the prefrontal cortex, and long-term memory structures, such as the hippocampus. The latest study focuses, instead, on the sensory and perceptual areas of the brain, specifically the ventral temporal cortex, and the patterns of activity there that correspond to memory representations of complex visual stimuli.

“We are looking not at the source of attention in the brain, but the sight of it,” said Lewis-Peacock.

Using neuroimaging to track patterns of brain activity the researchers showed a group of healthy adults, images of scenes and faces, instructing them to either remember or forget each image. Their findings not only confirmed that humans have the ability to control what they forget, but that successful intentional forgetting required “moderate levels” of brain activity in these sensory and perceptual areas — more activity than what was required to remember.

“A moderate level of brain activity is critical to this forgetting mechanism. Too strong, and it will strengthen the memory; too weak, and you won’t modify it,” said Tracy Wang, lead author of the study and a psychology postdoctoral fellow at UT Austin.

“Importantly, it is the intention to forget that increases the activation of the memory, and when this activation hits the ‘moderate level’ sweet spot, that is when it leads to later forgetting of that experience,” Wang said.

The researchers also found that participants were more likely to forget scenes than faces, which can carry much more emotional information, the researchers said.

“This will make way for future studies on how we process, and hopefully get rid of, those really strong, sticky emotional memories, which can have a powerful impact on our health and well-being,” Lewis-Peacock said.

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Lifestyle

Valentine’s Day 2026: Wishes, messages and quotes to share with your loved one

Valentine’s Day 2026 is here. Here are heartfelt wishes, romantic messages and timeless quotes to share with your loved one on February 14.

Published

2 weeks ago

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February 14, 2026

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Valentine's Day 2026: wishes, messages and quotes to share with your loved one

Valentine’s Day 2026 is here, bringing with it a celebration of love, affection and meaningful connections. Observed every year on February 14, the day offers couples an opportunity to express their emotions and strengthen their bond.

The week leading up to the day, popularly known as Valentine’s Week, is marked by the exchange of roses, chocolates, teddy bears and small tokens of affection. For many, these gestures are simple yet heartfelt ways to convey feelings that often go unspoken.

While some people plan elaborate surprises, candlelight dinners or thoughtful gifts, others prefer quiet moments spent together. Whether grand or intimate, the essence of the day lies in celebrating companionship and emotional closeness.

Valentine’s Day is also seen as a time to refresh relationships, revisit shared memories and reaffirm promises of togetherness. From handwritten notes to meaningful conversations, even small gestures can leave a lasting impact.

Valentine’s Day wishes and greetings

  • My love for you cannot be measured. It is as vast as the sky and as endless as the universe.
  • I never liked Valentine’s Day until I met you. You showed me what it truly means.
  • On this Valentine’s Day, I promise to stand by you forever so you never face any obstacle alone. Happy Valentine’s Day.
  • Let us love each other unconditionally, truly, madly and deeply.
  • Happy Valentine’s Day to the person who taught me the real meaning of love.
  • I love you wholeheartedly, and you matter to me the most.
  • Warm wishes on Valentine’s Day to everyone. Love is the most beautiful thing in the world.
  • My favourite place is your heart, where I want to build my home forever.

Valentine’s Day quotes

  • “Everything is clearer when you’re in love.” — John Lennon
  • “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” — Robert A. Heinlein
  • “I never want to stop making memories with you.” — Pierre Jeanty
  • “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” — David Viscott
  • “Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence.” — Vincent van Gogh

Valentine’s Day remains a reminder that love, in its many forms, deserves to be expressed and celebrated — not just on February 14, but every day of the year.

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Festivals

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026 wishes shared as festival of faith, positivity and new beginnings

Makar Sankranti 2026 marks a new beginning as devotees observe holy rituals and exchange heartfelt wishes across India.

Published

1 month ago

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January 14, 2026

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Happy Makar Sankranti 2026

Makar Sankranti is being celebrated across India with great enthusiasm on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, marking one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar. Observed as the day when the Sun begins its northward journey, the festival symbolises new beginnings, positive energy and prosperity.

The day holds deep religious importance. Devotees across the country take a holy dip in sacred rivers and perform charity and donations, practices believed to bring spiritual merit and peace. Sun worship is also an integral part of the festival, with many offering prayers at sunrise, seeking happiness, good health and success.

Beyond its spiritual meaning, Makar Sankranti is also known for its vibrant cultural celebrations. From rooftops filled with colourful kites to homes preparing traditional sweets made of jaggery and sesame, the festival brings together families and communities in celebration.

Festival of harvest, harmony and hope

Makar Sankranti is widely regarded as a harvest festival, especially in agrarian regions, marking the arrival of fresh crops and renewed hope. The exchange of sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery reflects the message of sweetness in relationships and warmth in communication.

As part of the celebrations, people are sharing thoughtful wishes and messages with friends, family and loved ones, expressing hopes for happiness, success and togetherness in the year ahead. Many messages highlight themes such as strong bonds, rising ambitions and uncut kites of success, drawing inspiration from the festival’s symbols.

A celebration that unites tradition and joy

With blue skies dotted with flying kites and households resonating with festive prayers, Makar Sankranti continues to stand as a reminder of tradition, gratitude and renewal. The festival encourages people to let go of negativity and move forward with optimism, making it one of the most cherished occasions of the year.

As celebrations unfold nationwide, exchanging warm wishes remains a simple yet meaningful way to make the festival special, reinforcing bonds and spreading joy.

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026 Wishes in English

1.
 The sweetness of jaggery, the aroma of sesame,
Colorful kites in the sky and love in every heart.
Wishing you and your family a joyful
and wonderful Makar Sankranti!

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026

2.
 If sesame is us and jaggery is you,
If sweets are us and sweetness is you,
As the first festival of the year begins,
May Makar Sankranti bring happiness to you.

Warm wishes on Makar Sankranti

3.
 Kites filling the sky,
Sweetness of jaggery all around,
May happiness find a permanent place
in your life this Makar Sankranti.

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026

4.
 With sesame laddoos and peanuts in abundance,
Wishing you a joyful and blessed
festival of Makar Sankranti.

5.
 Blue skies, colorful kites,
and joy in every direction.
Celebrate Makar Sankranti
with your loved ones.

Heartfelt Makar Sankranti wishes

6.
 May your kite never be cut,
May your string always stay strong.
May happiness surround your home,
and success follow you all year long.
May Makar Sankranti bring prosperity
and joy into your life.

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026

7.
 Temple bells, sacred prayers,
The golden glow of the rising sun by the river.
May happiness bloom in your life,
Wishing you a blessed Makar Sankranti.

8.
 The first harvest of the year
and the first happiness too.
Wishing you a joyful
Makar Sankranti.

9.
 May the kite of your success
always soar high in the sky.
Happy Makar Sankranti!

10.
 May your flight be high and your string be strong,
May happiness echo around you all along.
May your success rise so high,
That no one can ever bring it down.

Warm wishes on Makar Sankranti

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Festivals

Happy Lohri 2026 Wishes, quotes and messages to share with family and friends

Lohri 2026 will be celebrated on January 13. Here are the date, timing, significance and heartfelt wishes to share with loved ones.

Published

1 month ago

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January 13, 2026

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Happy Lohri 2026

Lohri, one of north India’s most vibrant festivals, marks the end of the winter season and the arrival of the harvest period. Known for its colourful traditions, bonfires, folk dances and seasonal delicacies, the festival brings warmth and togetherness during the cold days of January.

In 2026, Lohri will be celebrated in mid-January, continuing the tradition of welcoming prosperity, happiness and new beginnings.

When is Lohri in 2026

According to the Druk Panchang, Lohri will be observed on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

The auspicious time for Lohri Sankranti will begin at 03:13 pm on January 14, while Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Lohri holds cultural significance, especially in Punjab, Haryana and parts of north India, where families gather around bonfires, offer prayers, and celebrate with music, dance and traditional food such as jaggery, groundnuts and popcorn.

Happy Lohri 2026 Wishes, messages and quotes

Here are some heartfelt wishes and messages to share with family, friends and loved ones on Lohri:

  • Wishing you a Lohri filled with joy, happiness and prosperity. May this festival bring warmth and light to your life.
  • May the bonfire of Lohri burn away all your worries and bring you warmth, joy and success. Happy Lohri.
  • On this day of Lohri, may the divine festival fill your life with prosperity and growth. Happy Lohri to you and your loved ones.
  • As the fire of Lohri flourishes, may all your sorrows and troubles vanish with it. Happy Lohri to you and your family.
  • May the warmth of the Lohri bonfire fill your home with happiness and love. Happy Lohri.
  • Wishing you a harvest of joy and prosperity this Lohri. May your days be filled with happiness.
  • On this auspicious occasion of Lohri, may all your dreams come true.
  • Let the festival of Lohri bring you endless joy and abundance. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Lohri.
  • May the Lohri fire burn away sadness and bring warmth, joy and happiness into your life.
  • Sending you warm wishes for this festive season of Lohri. May it bring prosperity and success.
  • This Lohri, may the sweetness of jaggery and the warmth of groundnuts add happiness to your life.
  • May the festival of harvest fill your life with abundance and prosperity. Happy Lohri.

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