The brain is the master puppeteer, tugging the strings of our body with every thought, impulse and emotion. However, it's possible to turn the tables on it.
The body can trick the brain into feeling things it didn’t sign up for. You’ve probably heard the advice: “Fake it ‘til you make it.” Well, science suggests that if you plaster a grin on your face, even when you’re feeling about as cheerful as a Monday morning without coffee, your brain may actually start to believe you’re happy. This is known as the facial feedback hypothesis, and it’s been tested in numerous studies.
In one famous experiment, participants were asked to hold a pen between their teeth, forcing a smile-like expression. The result? They rated cartoons as funnier than those who were forced to frown. Your brain notices the smile, assumes you must be having a good time, and obligingly floods you with a little dopamine and serotonin. Smiling is just one way the body can outwit the mind. Posture is another. Slouching may feel comfortable, but it also whispers to your brain: “We’re tired, defeated, and possibly in need of a nap.”
Standing tall with shoulders back and chest open sends the opposite message: “We’re ready for action.” Research shows that upright posture can reduce stress and increase confidence. It’s the psychological equivalent of upgrading to fibre optic Internet. Breathing is another powerful trick. When feeling stressed, the body often breathes shallow and fast, which convinces the brain that things are worse than they are. Slow, deep breathing, however, activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the body’s natural “calm down” switch. Think of it as fooling your brain into believing you’re meditating on a beach, even if you’re actually stuck in traffic.
Exercise works similarly. You don’t need to run a marathon to reap the benefits; even a brisk walk can release endorphins, those delightful little chemicals that act like the brain’s personal cheerleaders. Exercise doesn’t just trick the mind, it hijacks it, flooding it with feel-good signals that rival mild antidepressants. As a bonus, you also get stronger legs. Sometimes the trick is subtler, as in the case of warmth.
In a classic experiment at Yale University, researchers handed students either a hot coffee or an iced coffee before introducing them to a stranger. The students who held the warm drink consistently rated the stranger as friendlier and more trustworthy than those holding the cold one. Physical warmth, it seems, doesn’t just heat your hands; it warms your social perceptions too. Offering someone a hot drink on a cold day can be the universal peace treaty.
Expressive hand gestures can make you feel more enthusiastic while speaking. Self-touch, like placing a hand over your heart, can reduce stress. Hugs from friends, meanwhile, are proven to boost 'oxytocin' (sometimes called the "love hormone" for its role in facilitating positive feelings). Even your eyes can help: looking upward can sometimes lift your spirits, while guided eye movements may help reduce trauma-related stress.
The mind and body are in constant conversation, and usually the body gets the last word. Changing posture, breath, movement or even facial expression can nudge your brain into a different state of mind. Next time you’re feeling low, try smiling, standing tall or handing someone a hot coffee. Your brain might ask, “What are you doing? We’re supposed to be miserable!” Ignore it. If the body can trick the mind, why not use it to your advantage? I'm slouching. Time for a nap.
Karim Easterbrook
The author is Former School Principal Cambridge UK
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