If one gives free play to the expressive bodily acts
which ordinarily accompany an emotion, he thereby
strengthens the emotion. The crying increases the sor-
row. The trembling and the running away make the
fear greater.
The snarling lip and the blow increase the rage. The
bodily acts in which the emotion is expressed react to
increase the emotion. However, many of these acts can
be controlled more or less completely. The emotion can
be lessened by holding them in check. For example, if
one holds in check the act to which the anger impels, un-
til he has counted ten, the feeling will be greatly weak-
ened.
One can control an undesirable emotion by withdraw-
ing his attention from the things which cause it and con-
centrating it on things which tend to arouse feelings
pleasurable in character and opposed to the undesirable
emotion.
One who endeavors earnestly to think, and talk, and
especially to act, as if the desired emotion were being ex-
perienced will tend to weaken the emotion he is opposing
and to arouse the one desired.
SUGGESTION AS A HEALING AGENT

Just as joy makes the heart beat faster while fear
slows it up and checks the action of the salivary glands,
or embarrassment makes one blush, or anger deranges
the liver and digestion, so suggestion by arousing these



170 Psychology for Business Efficiency

and other emotions is able to bring about great physio-
logical changes. Hence suggestion may be used as a
heahng agent.
The therapeutic value of suggestion has long been
known and used by physicians. The suggestion of the
physician often contributes as much as the remedy to
bring about the cure.
