This Posture Hack Improves Your Mood & Self-Confidence in Minutes - Power Poses for More Success

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Prominent social psychologist, author and speaker Amy Cuddy said: "Our nonverbals govern how other people think and feel about us, but they also govern how we think and feel about ourselves."

This quote highlights the idea that our body language not only influences how others perceive us, but also shapes our own self-perception and psychological state.

There is a strong relationship between our mood and mental state and our physical posture. Research has shown that our body posture can affect our mood, energy levels, and even cognitive functioning.

Studies have shown that people who adopt a more upright and open body posture, such as standing tall with shoulders back and chest out, tend to feel more confident, powerful, and in control. On the other hand, people who slouch or hunch over may experience feelings of sadness, depression, and low self-esteem.

Therefore, paying attention to our posture and making conscious efforts to adopt more open and upright body positions can help improve our mood and mental state. By adopting powerful and expansive postures, we can not only project confidence and strength to others, but also increase our own feelings of empowerment and reduce stress.

Holding a strong and aligned posture has several benefits for mental and emotional well-being. Here are a few key ways that good posture can positively impact our psychological health:

Increases confidence: Adopting an upright and open posture has been shown to increase feelings of confidence and self-assurance. This is because our posture communicates to others (and to ourselves) our level of confidence and competence. When we stand tall and hold our head high, we send the message that we are strong and capable, which can help boost our self-esteem and confidence levels.

Reduces stress: When we are stressed, we tend to tense up our muscles and adopt a closed or defensive posture, which can further exacerbate our feelings of anxiety or tension. By consciously relaxing our muscles and adopting a more open and upright posture, we can help reduce our stress levels and promote a sense of calm.

Improves mood: Research has shown that people who adopt an upright and open posture tend to experience more positive emotions, such as happiness and contentment, compared to those who slouch or hunch over. This is likely due to the fact that our posture can influence our hormone levels and neurotransmitter function, which can impact our mood and emotional well-being.

Enhances cognitive function: When we adopt an open and upright posture, we allow for optimal blood flow and oxygenation to the brain, which can improve our ability to focus, think clearly, and make decisions. Conversely, when we adopt a closed or slouched posture, we restrict blood flow to the brain, which can impair our cognitive function.

Power posing is a technique that involves adopting an open and expansive posture for a few minutes to boost confidence and reduce stress. Power posing is a specific application of the broader concept of good posture, which has been shown to have several benefits for mental and emotional well-being, such as increasing confidence, reducing stress, improving mood, and enhancing cognitive function.

Amy Cuddy's TED Talk on power posing provides an in-depth explanation of the science behind the technique and its potential benefits. In the talk, Cuddy discusses the concept of nonverbal communication and how our body language can shape how we feel and think about ourselves.

She explains the research that she and her colleagues conducted, which found that adopting high-power poses (such as the victory pose) for just two minutes can lead to increased levels of testosterone and decreased levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in the body, resulting in more confidence and reduced stress. Cuddy also shares real-world examples of how power posing can be used to improve performance in high-stress situations, such as job interviews or public speaking engagements.

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to boost your confidence and reduce stress, try power posing for two minutes.