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Words Can Change Your Brain is the ultimate guide to becoming an expert communicator, teaching you how to use psychology to your advantage to express yourself better, listen more, and create an environment of trust with anyone you speak with.
Words Can Change Your Brain is the ultimate guide to becoming an expert communicator, teaching you how to use psychology to your advantage to express yourself better, listen more, and create an environment of trust with anyone you speak with.
A few years ago I ran a marathon. I trained like crazy to prevent injury and when the big day came I still limped over the finish line an hour later than I’d hoped to! Whenever you have anything big you must prepare if you want it to go well.
For better conversations, begin by learning how to calm your mind. Recognize that your emotions influence your ability to communicate. Just think about how you snap at someone when you’re in a bad mood, for example.
To relax your brain, practice breathing for 60 seconds before important conversations. Research confirms that this activates the parts of your brain responsible for communication, mood, and social awareness.
This exercise will also help you be more present. You need to work on this so you can focus on people’s words and emotions. It will take some effort to silence your inner voice so you can make this happen.
Another good way to do this is to ring a bell that makes noise for about 30 seconds and focus on the sound as it fades and even after it’s done.
Did you that there are over 10,000 ways you can express yourself with your face? For each one there’s a different way to convey a feeling as well.
That might sound overwhelming, but there are a few general looks that convey specific emotions, like anger or sadness. Each is important because they can significantly affect the way your conversation goes.
So you want to watch what you look like, but what’s the best way to prepare your face to talk with someone? The answer is a smile because it communicates trust, kindness, and interest.
The bad news is that you can’t fake a real grin. But the good news is there’s a way to get a genuine Mona-Lisa smile every time. And it’s simply recalling a happy memory, especially those involving loved ones.
If I could see you right now I’d probably catch you smiling at the thought of your happiest memory. That’s the nice thing, these past events are usually readily available!
I’m smiling right now just thinking of the day I found out I passed my licensing exam and jumped up for joy. And now I’m ready for any conversation that might come up!
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Get the complete summary in the appGetting your mind relaxed, present, and quiet is the best way to prepare if you want to have a stellar conversation.
Smile, and make sure you recall happy memories to make it genuine.
To understand and be understood, listen well, speak more slowly, and say less.
"Words Can Change Your Brain" is a strong fit if you want practical ideas around communication skills, happiness, psychology—especially themes like getting your mind relaxed, present, and quiet is the best way to prepare if you want to have a stellar conversation; smile, and make sure you recall happy memories to make it genuine. The MinuteRead summary distills these concepts into a focused read, whether you're deciding whether to buy the book or applying its lessons at work.
Andrew B. Newberg, M.D. is currently the Director of Research at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital in Philadelphia. He is also a Professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Radiology at Thomas Jefferson University. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1993. He did his training in Internal Medicine at the Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia, serving as Chief Resident in his final year. Following his in…
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