Keeping Your Brain Healthy: Brain-FX

By Dr. Patsi Krakoff -

Smile, and Your Whole Body Smiles

I read this great post over on Robert I. Sutton's blog, describing the research behind the smile-get happy-smile some more processes. Most people think they smile in reaction to a happy feeling; but research shows that you can bring on a happy feeling by just smiling.

At this time of year, why not just smile then? Heck, at any time or place: smile your face off and see what happens. To understand the brain mechanisms, visit Sutton's blog, he's researched and written about Zajonc and others who have studied this and it is worth the read.

Negative People Are Bad for Your Brain

I read a great post over on Kathy Sierra's Passionate Users blog April 17, about how negative people are bad for your brain. It's worth the read.

An interesting section in the post cites research about "mirror neurons." Evidently the old saying "monkey see, monkey do" has scientific relevance. We learn from seeing other people, then copying them. As a survival tool, this served us well, back in the day.

It does not serve us well when we are around angry, negative people. Sometimes our brains pick up on things best left not repeated or mirrored. This resonates with the research in organizations that shows emotions are contagious, and the mood of the leader permeates the culture of the group.

When's the last time you became aware, as your mood was changing, that you might have picked up some 'bad vibes' in your environment?

Well, sometimes we generate our own bad moods ourselves, and the only negative person around is...ourself! Just remember, you can spread positivity just as easily as negativity, and it's a lot more fun.

 
More at http://www.brain-fx.com/70_brain_emotions/