Your posture influences your mood - for good or bad!  

• A 2017 study by the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry found that individuals with depression experienced an improvement in mood and energy levels when they adopted an upright posture compared to a slumped posture.

• Health Psychology published a study in 2015 that showed that adopting an upright seated posture in the face of stress can maintain self-esteem, reduce negative mood, and increase positive mood compared to a slumped posture.

• Good posture is associated with increased confidence and self-assurance and is shown to directly correlate with how we are perceived by others.

If posture is something you’ve never really considered, take a few minutes to see how it affects our emotions and outlook below.

Why does that person exude such confidence?

Whether we want to admit it or not, there is something that can make someone look worthy of paying attention to or not - solely by their posture. If they are slouching and moping about not caring much about their posture, it is easy to think - “Well if they don’t care about how they present themselves, then why should I?”

Someone else’s posture can make a big difference in how we view them, and it can make a big difference in how they view us. But the biggest effect - it makes the most difference in how we feel when we have good or bad posture.

The Undeniable Perks of Good Posture

In a world where slouching in front of screens has become the norm, taking a moment to straighten up can feel like another thing to add to your to-do list. I know you’re busy, but the importance of good posture cannot be overstated.

Let's dive into why maintaining good posture is crucial for your physical and mental health and how you can seamlessly integrate it into your daily routine, even if you're convinced your schedule is as packed as a floppy disk.

4 Reasons Why Good Posture Matters

Boosts Physical Health: Research indicates that proper posture aligns muscles and bones, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal issues. A study from the Annals of Internal Medicine revealed that good posture can alleviate lower back pain, a common complaint among adults【1】.

Enhances Mental Well-being: A fascinating study in the journal Health Psychology found that upright posture can foster emotional stability, reduce fatigue, and decrease self-focus in individuals with mild to moderate depression【2】.

Improves Breathing and Circulation: Standing tall doesn't just make you look confident; it opens up your chest, allowing for better lung expansion and oxygen flow, which is essential for optimal brain and body function【3】.

Boosts Professional Image: Your posture speaks volumes before you utter a word. A study from Harvard Business School found that adopting powerful, expansive postures not only increases feelings of power but also influences how others perceive you – crucial in both personal and professional settings【4】.

A Few Excuses

"I don't have time for this." Improving posture doesn't require a gym membership or extra hours in your day. Simple adjustments, like aligning your ears over your shoulders while at your desk, can make a world of difference.

"It's uncomfortable." Initially, correcting your posture might feel as awkward as trying to program a VCR in the dark. However, with consistency, your body will adapt, and comfort will follow.

"I keep forgetting." To combat this, set reminders on your digital devices – yes, the same ones that might be causing you to slouch. A nifty alert can serve as your personal posture coach.

Takeaways: Integrating Good Posture into Daily Life

- Mindful Sitting: Invest in an ergonomic chair or a lumbar support pillow to encourage proper spinal alignment while you work or relax.

- Active Standing: If you're on a call, stand up and walk around. Not only will this improve your posture, but it'll also prevent you from sitting all day - which they say is the new smoking.

- Stretch and Strengthen: Incorporate simple stretches and strengthening exercises into your routine to support your posture muscles. For me, its stretching in the shower and of course not trying to slip and kill myself in the process.

Embracing good posture is not something to stress about, but I hope you can see its importance to keep on your radar especially while we are at our desks, in our cars, or on long flights; it's about enhancing your quality of life so that you can live longer and stronger.

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-Jared

P.S. - This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The content, such as graphics, images, text, and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition.

【1】Hartvigsen, J., et al. (2018). What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention. Annals of Internal Medicine, 168(11), 813-820.

【2】Wilkes, C., et al. (2017). Upright posture improves affect and fatigue in people with depressive symptoms. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 54, 143-149.

【3】Vasavada, A. N., Li, S., & Delp, S. L. (1999). Influence of muscle morphometry and moment arms on the moment-generating capacity of human neck muscles. Spine, 24(4), 412-422.

【4】Cuddy, A. J., et al. (2015). Preparatory power posing affects nonverbal presence and job interview performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 100(4), 1286-1295.