7 Amazing Mind Tricks

Really simple psychological tools that work to improve your life

Sometimes it doesn’t take much to turn a conversation around, provide encouragement, increase work morale, or give your reputation a boost.

While these 7 amazing mind tricks appear deceptively simple, they are quite effective psychological tools when used to promote positivity, self-esteem and connection.

Why not give them a try:

CALM AN ANGRY PERSON: If you find yourself in a difficult or stressful situation that needs de-escalation, asking the distressed individual some personal questions can help with distraction. An equally effective technique is asking questions about numbers. What is your phone number or what is your address. Both have been scientifically shown to produce a calming effect.

For people with counting OCD, counting provides a sense of control and comfort and helps ease the mind and block out intrusive thoughts. Most people with OCD tend to be bombarded with invasive, scary thoughts of upcoming danger or hardship, so counting can serve as an outlet to suppress or neutralize these thoughts. simplypsychology.org

ENCOURAGE INTROVERTS TO SPEAK: Giving affirmative signals by nodding your head and consistent eye contact encourages shy individuals to open up. While this seems so obvious, it is a very powerful psychological tool.

Humans are prewired to look into each other’s eyes.

Properly employing patterns of gaze is essential for effective social interactions. Psychology Today

CULTIVATE A FRIENDY PERSONA: This takes very little effort. Make it a habit to acknowledge and say hello to every person you know. And be sure to say it with a smile. A simple act that does a great deal for your reputation. Smiles are a big deal.

A smile begins in our sensory corridors. The ear collects a whispered word. The eyes spot an old friend on the station platform. The hand feels the pressure of another hand. This emotional data funnels to the brain, exciting the left anterior temporal region in particular, then smolders to the surface of the face, where two muscles, standing at attention, are roused into action: The zygomatic major, which resides in the…