The mind-body connection: regulating physiology

The Facial Feedback Hypothesis: Body Expression Induces Emotion

The connection between our mind and body is two-way.

It's not just our thoughts that affect our bodies; our bodies can also affect our emotions.

The facial feedback hypothesis suggests that our facial expressions can influence our emotions.

We don't just smile because we're happy; we can also feel happier because we smile.

How Smiling Can Make Us Feel Better (and Vice Versa)

The brain interprets the physical signal from the muscles in your face and tends to generate a coherent emotion.

This principle extends to all of our nonverbal language. Adopting an upright posture can make us feel more confident.

Managing nonverbal language as a tool for emotional regulation

Therefore, consciously managing our body is a way of managing our mind.

We can't always change our thoughts directly, but we can almost always change our posture or facial expression.

Practical examples: adopting a power pose to gain confidence

If you're feeling down, try standing up and smiling for a minute. You'll notice a change in your mood.

In addition to posture, deep diaphragmatic breathing calms the nervous system.

Even something as simple as drinking a glass of water can send a signal of security to our brain.

Summary

Our body and mind are connected in both directions.

The facial feedback hypothesis indicates that by modifying our facial expression, such as smiling, we can also positively influence our emotions.

Adopting a confident body posture or a smile not only communicates confidence to others, but also sends internal signals to the brain, improving our emotional state and reducing discomfort.

Using nonverbal language as an emotional tool is an accessible strategy.

Changing our posture, breathing deeply, or even drinking water can help us regain emotional balance quickly and effectively.