Stand Tall

If you are reading this, do me a favor:  Stand (or sit) tall.

• Take your shoulders back
• Lengthen your spine
• Look up to the sky or ceiling and smile
• Ahh don’t you feel stronger, uplifted and better than you did a few seconds ago?

 Personal Persuasion of Posture

The other day I was working at my desk – okay this is not so unusual. Nevertheless, I was hunched over my laptop typing away and after a couple of hours I began to feel heavy, weighed down. I said out lout, “Sit up straight, shoulders back, and pick-up your chin.” Immediately I smiled and felt lighter for no reason other than changing my posture. Seriously, try it right now, I’ll wait. You are smiling aren’t you?

Most people know that body language is a powerful communication tool. However, it does more than non-verbally express your mood and/or thoughts to others. In fact, scientific studies show your own body language can also affect your own personal mood.

Chemically Induced Positive Mood-maker (no drugs or alcohol required) 

A study by researchers from Columbia and Harvard Universities showed that body language symbolizing supremacy can even affect our decision-making, subconsciously.

The researchers measured the appetite for risk of participants in either expansive, powerful poses, or constricted poses (occupying minimal space, keeping limbs close to the body). Those who were in the powerful positions not only felt more powerful and in control, but were 45% more likely to take a risk.

Further, the study used saliva samples to prove that expansive positions actually altered the participants’ hormone levels—decreasing cortisol (C) and increasing testosterone (T).

This neuroendocrine profile of High T and Low C hormone levels have been consistently linked to people who show resistance to disease and demonstrate leadership roles.

Therefore, if we alter our posture and body language, we can subconsciously influences our decision-making and thinking.

Power Posing

On Ted Talks, Social psychologist Amy Cuddy explains how “power posing” (a standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident) can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.

Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are: http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are#t-1054

I can’t think of a better reason to practice the habit of sitting tall and walking tall. In the end we control our own success with self-communication (verbal and non-verbal)!

For more information on the Power of Posture Read This:

10 Simple Postures That Boost Performance by Dr Jeremy Dean is a psychologist and the author of PsyBlog. His latest book is “Making Habits, Breaking Habits: How to Make Changes That Stick”   http://www.spring.org.uk/2011/03/10-simple-postures-that-boost-performance.php