Article by: Trae Dawn
Have you ever seen someone yawn or cry and started doing it yourself?
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Have you ever been around someone only to catch yourself acting like, talking like or just mimicking something they did or are doing? This can be explained by neuroscience as your mirror neurons.
What is a Mirror Neuron?
It's a neuron that fires both when an animal acts and when the animal observes the same action performed by another.
Thus, the neuron "mirrors" the behavior of the other, as though the observer were itself acting.
This has now been observed in humans, too.
This means that subconsciously your brain/mirror neurons can mimic what you are observing in your environment.
How can you use this to your advantage?
You can start by surrounding yourself with those that have an optimistic outlook, are do-ers, and are a positive influence; they really are influencing you.
Examples
Have you ever been around a person or people who seem to be complaining constantly? Only to find yourself complaining?
Have you ever seen someone yawn or cry and started doing it yourself?
What about being around someone happy or energetic only to realize you are now in a better mood and smiling too! ( Also, check out this article about being happy)
Hate gossip? But you somehow caught yourself involved in gossip when you were around a certain gossiping person?? How did this happen? You hate gossip!!! Stay around that person long enough you may end up just like them!
Ever felt down and a cheerful person came around and your mood was uplifted? Yup! It works in this way too!
I hope these examples are enough to give you a good idea on how important your environment is in contributing to mood and behavior.
Can you choose your friends? Yes, and you definitely should!
Choose positive, happy and nice people. I realize people are not happy all the time, but there are some that are never happy or are cunning and manipulative. These are the people to avoid.
Steer clear of those judgemental, gossiping and negative people. They can and will change your mood!
If you are someone who makes New Year Resolutions then you should definitely put this at the top of your list!
Choose your friends wisely because your mirror neurons are depending on you.
Until Next Time,
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