We all know what it is like getting ready for a date or a big event, peering into the mirror and not liking what we see. The extra pound, a bulge here, a wrinkle there, a zit you can't get rid of, not to mention hair that absolutely will not cooperate with your brush. Yes, the mirror often shows us all the things we do not like about our bodies. It generates lots of negative self-talk and doubts about your attractiveness, especially when you are about to meet a new hottie for your first date.

But I just found some new studies that have shown something remarkable, something that flies in the face of all that! Researchers found that a mirror can actually work its magic in a positive direction if you know how to use it. In these studies obese adults and adolescents were told to look in a mirror and discuss their bodies in a positive way. After six mirror sessions the subjects shifted their focus from what they thought was wrong to what was right with their bodies. In other words, their self-talk changed. As a result, these obese people had an increase in their body satisfaction and experienced less disgust and anxiety about their appearance. This was true even for those who were depressed!! Remember also that many clinical studies have shown that shifting to more positive self-talk reduces anxiety and stress especially in social situations.