Boost Your Mood!
On some level, most of us understand that emotions are contagious. But what we may not fully appreciate is that we have the ability to cultivate more positive emotions and direct our daily experiences. Once you understand that your thoughts and emotions carry a vibration that affects you and others, you’ll become attuned to what you’re thinking and feeling.
For example, have you ever noticed how quickly your mood can shift based upon who you’re around? Have you ever been in a meeting where someone arrives in a great mood and you can feel their happiness light up the room? Or maybe you have friends at work that you look forward to seeing because you know their energy is going to lift your mood.
On the flip side, have you ever noticed how one person’s bad mood can infect an entire team and pull them into a downward spiral? Sometimes we don’t even have to be in the same room to feel people’s energy. I’ve seen stress and negativity affect an entire group over Zoom. Scientists call this phenomenon emotional contagion, which means that one person’s emotions and behaviors trigger similar emotions and behaviors in others.
Several studies have shown that when teams are exposed to an emotional contagion their behavior shifts. When groups experience positive emotions, they work together more effectively—performance goes up and conflict goes down. People are naturally more open and collaborative, and they work together to make decisions more equitably.
The antithesis was also true: when negative emotions infect groups, tensions rise and productivity drops as people put their own needs over those of others. While these findings may not seem that surprising (at all!), what is interesting is that the teams were completely unaware that emotions were driving their behavior––the impact was happening on a subconscious level.
Our emotions play a significant role in how people respond to us. And we all have the ability to be a catalyst that amplifies positive emotions in others––it can be as simple as smiling, using eye contact, and open body language to influence how people feel. We naturally mimic the social behaviors of others, thanks to the mirror neurons in our brain.
When scientists first discovered that mirror neurons fire in the same pattern whether we’re performing an action or simply watching it, it was a huge breakthrough in understanding why and how behaviors and emotions spread through groups. By simply observing someone’s behavior our minds and bodies are signaled to re-create the same response. It’s why we naturally smile back when someone smiles at us and why we frown when we see someone is unhappy.
We’re wired to share and feel what others are going through. These principles hold true whether we’re talking to one person, a team, or presenting in person or on Zoom. We influence one another all the time.
When you understand that your emotions affect the way people respond to you (and visa versa), it becomes obvious that you significantly influence the experiences you have with others. And if you’d like to build stronger relationships and improving your well-being, learning to consciously create more positive emotions is a great place to begin.
DAILY PRACTICE:
Start your day off on a positive note. Invest 15-20 minutes every morning doing something that makes you feel good and elevates your emotions. There are a number of ways to boost your mood. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Pick one, or dust off an old habit you’ve let slide, and intentionally create a supportive emotional space for yourself.
Exercise––Carving out time in the morning to go for a run, or take a long walk, provides a natural release of endorphins that positively influence your outlook and ability to see new opportunities. Studies have shown that moving your body will boost your mood and decrease your chances of depression by 26%.
Gratitude––There are limitless ways to express your appreciation and expand your perspective. Some people enjoy starting their day by writing down three things they are grateful for. Others like to sit quietly, reflect on what they appreciate, and feel it in their body. Our family has a practice of seeing and collecting moments of gratitude throughout the day and sharing our “highlights” over dinner. Find what works for you and practice expressing how thankful you are for all that’s going well every day!
Breath in your intention––Close your eyes and take several deep breaths as you set a positive intention for the day and visualize everything flowing with ease. See the day’s events smoothly unfolding and picture yourself enjoying all of your interactions. As you enter into different segments of your day (a meeting, a client conversation, providing feedback, etc.), take a moment to connect back to your intention and choose to create a good experience for yourself and others.
The better we know ourselves, the more empowered we are to create on this level. This is why it’s so important to understand your communication style; it connects you to insights that help you see yourself more clearly. If you haven’t discovered your communication style yet, I encourage you to learn what your primary and secondary styles are and get a glimpse into how you impact the people around you.
And now that you know that your emotions are contagious, make yours worth catching! Be the one who uplifts others and enjoy the ripple effect it has in your energy field too!
Happily,
Maryanne