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Feeling in need of a pick-me-up as autumn creeps in? Try bringing yellow topaz and citrine into your life. These two stones are understood to be wonderful energizers, carrying the sun’s energy to ward of those cold-weather blues.

A number of studies have been conducted into whether people can 'see' colours when looking at words or listening to music. According to recent research by US scientists, as many as one in 2000 people have a condition known as synaesthesia.

More and more people are turning to music as therapy for aid anxiety, to ease pain relief or lift depression. Research has demonstrated that tunes with a strong beat can actually affect our brainwaves to the extent that they sync with the rhythm of the music.

A survey backed by the mental health charity Mind and carried out by the Food and Mood Project revealed that changes in diet can affect not just physical health but mental health also. Results showed that just by cutting down on ‘stress’ foods such as caffeine, sugar and alcohol helped to improve participants' mood.

We all know that a sudden encounter with a particular smell can trigger a memory and transport us back to our childhood or remind us of a holiday abroad. Various studies have been conducted to understand why such a reaction occurs and what effect it might have over us.