Exercise for Mood and Anxiety by Otto Michael Smits Jasper A.J

Author:Otto, Michael, Smits, Jasper A.J.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 2011-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

BE THE DIRECTOR OF YOUR FEELINGS

During the effort of exercise, what is your facial expression? Is your forehead smooth, or are your brows drawn in concerned concentration? Do you have an easy half smile on your face, or do you have a tight-lipped grimace? Check your face, and reset it into the smooth-browed half smile. Then, notice whether your pace changes, whether you have an easier time with the effort you are exerting. If you do notice a difference, your experience is consistent with research on the effects of facial expressions on mood.

A smiling facial expression makes it easier to experience positive emotions; a frown does the opposite. This is true even when a smiling expression is produced falsely.1 For example, if you watch a cartoon while holding a pen in your mouth in a way that mimics a smile (see Figure 8.1), you are likely to be more amused than if you watched it without this forced expression (that is, if you held the pen in your hand).1 This suggests that subtle changes you make in your posture and facial expression send messages to your brain about how you feel.2 The implication is clear: Instead of letting your posture and facial expressions follow your feelings, use your posture and facial expressions to direct your feelings.

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