Intuitively, I recognize that when I’m in a mood, my body will take on an appearance that shows it. For example, when I feel sad, my shoulders may fall forward, my head may sag forward, my gait will slow, etc.
Can I use that connection between mind and body to formulate a strategy for changing my mood?
Neurolinguistics (NLP) says yes!
In a certain mood? Your body will position itself to express it. Position your body to mimic the posture and/or gait you have when you’re in a certain mood, and you’ll soon take on that mood.
Body => Mind. Mind => Body. Thought => Expression. Expression => Thought.
Feeling angry or depressed – and want to change that mood? Try taking a walk – in the manner you think a person would walk who is feeling happy or excited about life.
It’s worked for me. Maybe it will work for you, too.
Resources:
- Michalak, J., Rohde, K., Troje, N. F. (2015), “How we walk affects what we remember: Gait modifications through biofeedback change negative affective memory bias,” Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry 46:121 – 125 (2014). Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
- Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. (2014, October 17). “Change your walking style, change your mood.” Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/283979.php.
