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  • Writer's pictureneissa@igniteyourlifenow.

Why We Need to Give and Receive High Fives



Have you ever wondered about the power and significance of a high five? Check out these two studies:

  • Researchers at Berkeley and Yale did a study on the NBA. They wanted to know if there were any habits that the winning teams had that the losing teams didn't have (in the preseason). The Findings: During the preseason, the top four teams in the NBA gave more high fives, fist bumps and pats on the back to one another than all other teams.

  • Researchers at the University of Akron were curious about the best way to motivate kids to do something challenging. The Findings: The single best way to motivate and encourage kids to do something challenging is to give them a high five.

I learned about these interesting facts while listening to a Mel Robbins podcast. There's a good bit of science behind it and I encourage you to listen HERE, but in a nutshell, a high five produces dopamine which plays a role in many important body functions, including movement, memory and pleasurable reward and motivation. High fives build trust, partnership and belief.

Mel even encourages looking into your own eyes (in a mirror) and starting your day by giving yourself a high five. Based on her experience, this simple act will boost your mood, confidence, energy, focus and discipline. It's the non-verbal way of silencing your inner-critic and saying (without saying) "I believe in you!", "You got this!", "You go girl!" Giving yourself a high five fuses emotions of celebration and love into your reflection and physically demonstrates that you believe in yourself.


Call to Action: Give LOTS of high fives to your family members, colleagues, neighbors, grocery checker...everyone! If nothing else, giving a high five will make you and the high receiver smile, as giving a high five without smiling is as impossible as listening to a baby laugh and not laughing out loud. Also, for your daily boost in mood, confidence, energy, focus and discipline, try looking at your reflection and give yourself a high five. Worst case scenario is it will give you the giggles.


With Love and High Fives,

Neissa

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