How the Body Knows Its Mind

The Surprising Power of the Physical Environment to Influence How You Think and Feel

Sian Beilock

• Publisher: Atria Books
• Year: 2015
• Topic: Psychology
• eBook ISBN:
  9781451626704
• Subtopic: Cognitive Psychology & Cognition
• Index: Psychology

“Beilock reveals one intriguing secret after another...That Beilock is supercharged with enthusiasm about her topic is evident and infectious” (Booklist, starred review).

The human body is not just a passive device carrying out messages sent by the brain, but rather an integral part of how we think and make decisions. In this groundbreaking book, Sian Beilock, award-winning scientist and author of the highly acclaimed Choke, draws on her own cutting-edge research to turn the conventional understanding of the mind upside down in ways that will revolutionize our lives.

At the heart of How the Body Knows Its Mind is the tantalizing idea that our bodies “hack” our brains. The way we move affects our thoughts, our decisions, and even our preferences for particular products. Called “embodied cognition,” this new science—of which Beilock is a foremost researcher—illuminates the power of the body and its physical surroundings to shape how we think, feel, and behave. For example, pacing around the room can enhance creativity; gesturing during a speech can help ensure you don’t draw a blank; teaching kids through body movement helps them learn better; walking in nature boosts concentration skills; using Botox could lead to less depression; and much more.

“Insightful, informative, and beautifully written” (Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness), How the Body Knows Its Mind unveils a wealth of fascinating mind-body interconnections and explores how mastering them can make us happier, safer, and more successful.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Dedication
• Introduction: What’s Outside Our Head Alters What’s Inside
• Chapter 1: The Laughter Club: The Physical Nature of Emotion
• Chapter 2: Act Early, Think Better Later
• Chapter 3: Learn by Doing
• Chapter 4: Don’t Just Stand There: How Moving Sparks Creativity
• Chapter 5: Body Language: How Our Hands Help Us Think and Communicate
• Chapter 6: Shoes, Sex, and Sports: Using Our Body to Understand Others
• Chapter 7: Tearjerkers: Empathizing with Others
• Chapter 8: The Roots of Social Warmth
• Chapter 9: Movement: How Exercise Enhances Body and Mind
• Chapter 10: Buddha, Alexander, and Perlman: Using Our Body to Calm Our Mind
• Chapter 11: Greening the Brain: How the Physical Environment Shapes Thinking
• Epilogue: Using Your Body to Change Your Mind
• About Sian Beilock
• Notes
• Index
• Copyright