Put on a happy face!
So this is interesting. I was reading an article in Newsweek the other day (YES, I READ NEWSWEEK! SOMETIMES!) about how Botox is now being used in the treatment of people who are severely depressed. Apparently they did some study where they used Botox on the frown lines of these people (which rendered them unable to make sad faces) and almost all of them said that they felt significantly happier. It was like a 90% success rate vs. something like 70% for antidepressants and talking therapy. The scientists said that best they can tell, our brains work from the outside in. If we frown, our brains think that we're unhappy and manufacture feelings of unhappiness. If we smile (even if it's a fake one) eventually our brains start to believe that we're happy and we, in turn, feel happier. Crazy, huh?
The way I figure it, half of Hollywood must be feeling pretty perky right about now.
posted by Ali @ 8:40 PM
3 Comments:
I once listened to an Anthony Robbins tape (don't ask how or why), and he said that if you are feeling angry or sad, start jumping up and down and laughing. He said it's impossible to stay in a funk when you do this. It changes your brain chemistry. I have to say, it does work, at least temporarily.
However, it does get you strange looks when the guy in front of you at Starbucks starts to take too long, and your only response is to start bouncing ang giggling...
>>"I guess it is at this point that one must start jumping up and down and laghing like the big giant man with scary teeth."
Wait a second, are you talking about me or Anthony Robbins? :)
This is connect to older research that shows people who are told to "act" happy actually do feel happier afterwards.
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