Both Ways

I have always been fascinated by the strange mechanisms and connections of the human brain, and the more I learn, the greater my astonishment about just how wonderfully the mind/brain system works. I have written about strokes and aphasia, the psychology of abuse, post abortion syndrome, and the mystery of how the brain perceives pleasure; and now I wish to share two little known but extremely powerful techniques for altering moods.

The first technique is the easiest and the fastest, and is surprisingly simple, but before I explain it I have to introduce it properly, so please bear with me. I had, as most of us do, always assumed that certain facial expressions were the result of our moods. If we are feeling sad or depressed, our lips curl down, our eye brows droop a little, and our body language reveals slumped shoulders and a generally passive posture. It’s easy to look at a person with these characteristics and read their mood. Certain moods and body languages are cross cultural, that is, a forest dwelling native in the wilds of New Guinea and a Armani clad New York lawyer will read such body language the same way. Similarly, if you or the jungle living native see a man with his shoulders back, chest out, and a smile on his face and in his eyes, you both know you are looking at a happy fellow. We assume that body language is caused by  mood. That a person’s body language is derived from his or her emotional state. Well, one researcher did not assume that and did a study, and found something incredibly surprising.

The researcher found that the connection between our emotional state and body language is two ways – not just one way. He found that just by altering your body language, you can change your mood. Think about that a minute – you can change your mood by changing your body language…

Now this may seem ridiculous, but experiment with me. Look into a mirror and smile widely, making the corners of your eyes crinkle a little as you do. Your first impulse will probably be to laugh at acting like such a dork, but after, you will feel happier! It’s amazing but true – body language works both ways. Smiling makes you happier, similarly to when you are happy and that makes you want to smile.

So now if I’m feeling down, I look into the mirror and grin, it makes me chuckle and I do feel happier. This technique reminds me of the old saying – Fake it ’til you make it – it works.

The second proven way to alter your mood is via music. It works best if you have a free half hour, and start by finding songs that match your current mood, and over thirty minutes gradually change to songs that exemplify your goal mood. You have to really take the time to listen, so be comfortable and turn off your phone and any other distractions.

Once again let us say you feel sad. Just listen to a few sad songs first, then a few mellow songs, then end your thirty minute music session with some cheerful, upbeat songs. It’s like Prozac administered through your headphones.

If you feel anxious and need to relax, start out with high energy songs and transition to mellow tunes by the end of the session – that’s like Xanax through your headphones.

It’s been a hell of a day for me, so I’m going to listen to some Van Halen and work my way down to some mellow jazz.