We all love fun hacks that can make life a bit easier for us. As it is, life can be pretty challenging and each one of us are fighting our own battles. So by knowing certain quirks of our minds, we can actually get a leg up in life and make the best of available opportunities. There are several psychological life hacks that help us understand how the human brain works and how we can use these life hacks to create a better social life for ourselves.
No. These are NOT manipulative strategies to trick or control people. These hacks are simply psychological truths that help you to be more confident in life and take the right steps to succeed in your career, relationships, social scenarios, and life at large. These can be especially helpful if you are driven by your emotions and your gut instinct.
Do psychological life hacks actually work?
Yes. They do. The main reason is that these life hacks are rooted in human psychology and are not some quick fix tips for your problems. Of course, there are a lot of amateur and useless life hacks out there on the internet, but you need to be smart enough to understand which ones work and which ones to avoid. Most of them are just hokey-pokey manipulative tricks that don’t usually work in the real world. These will not only make your life even more complicated but it will also waste your time and put you in an awkward and uncomfortable spot.
BUT…there are some hidden gems that actually do work and can make life a lot easier for you. All you need to do is use your own judgment to recognize these amazing tips and hacks and use them effectively in your life. Understanding the basic principles of human psychology will enable you to manage daily situations better. You will be able to manage yourself better, interact with others smartly, eliminate stress and anxiety, boost your communication skills, make smarter decisions and simply live better. If you take a closer look at some of the most effective psychological life hacks, you can easily get an edge over others.
Most effective psychological life hacks
So without wasting any more time, let us dive right into the most clever & comprehensive list of psychological life hacks that will truly help you win at life. Here are 14 useful life hacks you wish you knew earlier:
#1 Act Confident (even if you’re not)
Let’s face it, not all of us are as confident as we would like to be. However, when it comes to confidence, remember this: fake it till you make it. By faking a confident and positive body posture, you will eventually start feeling confident even when you feel like drowning in self-doubt. Confident body language will make you appear more attractive, trustworthy, and reliable.
#2 Notice their eye color, when you meet someone for the first time
It’s not the color that matters. It’s the time you take to notice their eye color. Studies reveal that when we notice someone’s eye color it takes us a little more time to maintain eye contact. This can be very helpful in social situations as you will appear more confident, attractive, and charismatic.
#3 Imitate their body language
When you mirror the body language of a person, it will be much easier to build a rapport with that individual. By subtly matching the body language of someone you’re interacting with, you will become more comfortable, build instant trust and appear compatible.
#4 Ask for a favor to be more likable
Have you ever heard of The Benjamin Franklin Effect? Well, Benjamin Franklin once observed that when we do a favor for a person, we will end up liking them more, even if we didn’t like them much in the first place. Due to our brain’s response to a cognitive dissonance, we rationalize that we must like someone to help them. This is one of the coolest psychological life hacks that can make others like you more.
#5 Say someone’s name right after meeting them
Most of us forget names the first time we meet someone. This can be both confusing and uncomfortable for us when we keep interacting with them. Imagine asking someone’s name 3 days after you’ve met them. The horror! This is why experts suggest saying their name a few times right after you meet them. This will reinforce the name in your brain. Moreover, this MUST use psychological hack will make the other person feel you are paying attention to them and like you more.
#6 Look at their feet
This is one of the weirdest psychological life hacks, but it works! When you meet someone, notice the posture of their feet as it helps you understand what the person thinks about you and how they are feeling. If their feet are pointed towards your direction, they are interested in talking to you. On the other hand, if they are pointed away from you even though their body and head are facing you, then you might want to start planning your exit.
#7 Silence is still golden
Use the power of silence to make people say what you want them to answer. If someone refuses to answer or answers partially or if they refuse to understand your point, stay silent and continue to look at them. This will force them to initiate conversation and offer a satisfying answer.
#8 To stay cool, chew gum
No. I don’t mean your breath. If you feel nervous or tense in a particular situation, chewing gum can help to calm your nerves and remain cool and composed. Our brain believes that when we eat, we are in a safe environment. I am sure you won’t be chomping on a burger with extra cheese while you are being chased by a bear. Chewing gum will trick your mind to think you are comfortable and ease any stress or anxiety.
#9 Offer validation
We all look for validation from others. It helps us to boost our ego and our self-esteem. When someone really listens to us and validates what we think, believe, or say, it makes us feel important. So make sure you rephrase and repeat what a person says immediately if you want them to like you, get attention from you and rely on you for validation. This one is a bit sneaky but hey…it works!
#10 Keep your hands warm
You already know how important a great handshake is for making an impression. But have you ever realized how terrible it feels to shake a cold hand? It simply shows that you are nervous and anxious. You don’t want that while making a good first impression. So make sure your hands are softly warm when you meet someone or before shaking hands. You can rub your palms together or make a quick stop at the restroom to dip your hands in some warm water.
#11 For the perfect date, do something thrilling
A movie and dinner for a date are just lazy and boring. If you want your date to really like you and go out with you again, make sure you do something exciting together. Your date will not only have fun and have their hearts throbbing, but they will be seriously impressed with you. They will subconsciously relate to you with fun, happiness, and excitement.
#12 Sit next to someone to avoid aggression
Did you know we tend to be more aggressive with someone who is in front of us or at a distance from us, instead of the person right next to us? This is one of the simplest psychological life hacks. If you wish to avoid aggressive arguments, then simply sit or stand right beside them. We don’t usually show aggression to someone who is at close proximity. Moreover, it is just uncomfortable to turn to your side just to confront a person right next to you.
#13 The last impression matters
If you want to be remembered by someone, always leave a great final impression on them. Whether in a date or in an interview, your last impression is as important as your first impression, if not more. As we mostly remember the beginning and the ending of an event, what you do before leaving will give you better control on the outcome.
#14 Ask more questions to make them like you
Did you know asking questions can make you more charismatic? So when you’re in a social setting or an interview or even in a date, make sure you ask enough questions. This will show that you are interested and you take them seriously. By making people think about the answer, you will get them engaged and they will think about you long after you have left.
There you go. These are the 14 most effective and helpful psychological life hacks that you can actually use in your daily life to make people like you more and build a better life for yourself starting today.
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