How the Body Knows Its Mind

How the Body Knows Its Mind by Sian Beilock Summary:  An award-winning scientist offers a groundbreaking new understanding of the mind-body connection and its profound impact on everything from advertising to romance. 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 her groundbreaking new book, Sian Beilock, author of the highly acclaimed Choke, which Time magazine praised for its “smart tips...in order to think clearly...and be cool under pressure,” draws on her own cutting-edge research to turn the conventional understanding of the mind upside down in ways that will revolutionize how we live 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. Beilock’s findings are as varied as they are surprising. For example, pacing around the room can enhance creativity; gesturing during a speech can help ensure that you don’t draw a blank; kids learn better when their bodies are part of the learning process; walking in nature boosts concentration skills; Botox users experience less depression; and much more. From the tricks used by advertisers to the ways body language can improve your memory, Beilock explains a wealth of fascinating interconnections between mind and body and how mastering them can make us happier, safer, and more successful. Angie's Comments: How the Body Knows Its Mind discusses how the body influences the mind. There are anecdotes and studies that Beilock discusses, and overall it is convincing. The book reminded me of school gym, when we were learning how to use a bow and arrow. I had issues concentrating on the instructions because I wasn’t sure what hand I would use for what. I am usually left-handed, but I throw with my right, and I never know what hand I will use until I get the equipment. So once I finally got the bow and arrow in my hands, I could figure out which hand would do what. My teacher was mad because I didn’t tell her that I would do it left-handed, and I tried to explain that I didn’t know either until I started shooting. I was at first taken aback when Chapter 1 begins with an anecdote that continues for several pages. I was waiting for the studies, which is much more scientific than one story. Beilock finally got to the studies, which was a relief. I didn’t want to read a book about anecdotes! And in a small quibble, I was not impressed by her example of the confirmation bias on page 108. She uses it to show that people don’t look to disprove their beliefs, but she uses the example of letters and numbers. In other studies, when the exact same thing is done with a concrete example (such as whether people are old enough to be drinking), people are great at getting the right answer. So I wouldn’t use that as an example of confirmation bias, but more as an example of people not thinking abstractly. I really enjoyed this book. Beilock has a lot of enthusiasm for her subject, and she backs up her information with studies, but still includes enough anecdotes to keep it interesting. The lesson? Keep moving and encourage your children to manipulate objects and to experience the world. This is a book recommended for parents of young children, mature adults who want to help their brain keep young, and for people interested in biology.      Request this item