Believe it or not, there are things that you can do physically that will immediately affect your mood. That’s good to know because if you do these things, you might immediately feel cheered up..yayy!!

A warm drink makes you friendlier

I am one of the few counsellors that offers clients a warm drink before we start a session. I do it because I want my client to feel as at home as possible. I have since found out that drinking a warm drink (from the book “Rip it up” by Richard Wiseman) helps a person feel more connected. Similarly, hard furniture is associated with hard behaviour. In one study researchers had participants sit on either soft or hard chairs, and then negotiate over the price of a used car. Those in the hard chairs offered less and were more inflexible.

Power pose for confidence

To increase your self esteem and confidence, sit or stand upright, lean back, look up and interlcok your hands behind your head.

Cross your arms to increase staying power

Those in an experiment who crossed their arms and who sat up straight were able to spend twice a long working at a problem given to them on a computer. make sure your computer monitor is slightly above your eye line and when the going gets tough, cross your arms.

Put a pencil between your teeth to feel happier

Students were tested, some were told to put a pencil between their teeth, others didn’t do this. Those with a pencil between their teeth reported higher levels of ahppiness afterwards. Putting a pencil between your teeth makes us seem as if we are smiling and this physical pose is interpreted by the brain that we are happy.

Need more willpower – press thumb and first finger together

Apparently tensing your muscles boosts your willpower. Next tie you feel the need to avoid that cigarette or cream cake, make a fist,contract your bicep, press your thumb and first finger together, or grip a pe in your hand.

Eat with your left hand to diet

when you lose your non-dominant hand you have to think about it more and it takes the focus off food. When you think more about eating and don’t consume automatically or mindlessly, you apparently eat less.

Richard Wiseman is a great author who regularly writes about psychology. For more info like the content above…”Rip it up” – Richard Wiseman

Mandy X

Author: Mandy Kloppers

Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.