Benefits of Good Posture And How It Improves Your Mood
Have you been suffering from low self-esteem, irritability and lack of alertness? Have all of these negative emotions been contributing to poor mood and strained relationships with family and friends?
Although many factors can cause these negative thoughts and feelings, your posture may actually be at the root of your problems. Poor posture can be linked to a wide range of issues, from decreased energy to low confidence.
While it may surprise you to learn that improving your posture will improve your mood, let’s clearly explain the link between how you stand and how you feel.
Posture and Mood
Your posture can reveal a lot about yourself. For example, if you are having a particularly good day you might find yourself standing taller, thus projecting confidence towards others. Internally, this is a reflection of your high self-esteem and good mood. This is true in the opposite sense as well — because if you are having a bad day, you might notice that your posture becomes hunched as you subconsciously try to make yourself appear smaller.
The link between posture and mood is a holistic one, in the sense that the way you carry yourself reflects your internal state of being and vice versa. However, some individuals have poor posture due to muscle tightness from constantly sitting in front of a desk, or simply out of bad habit. This unintentional poor posture will most likely lead to negative emotions, or even a sour mood.
Whether you are having a bad day and you find your posture hunched, or if you need to work on your posture all-together, there are some definite benefits to standing and sitting straight.
The Benefits of Good Posture
As mentioned before, confidence is correlated to your posture. The taller you stand, the more confidence you project. A good posture tells people that you know what you are talking about, that you feel good about yourself and that you aren’t timid or afraid. Additionally, a good posture can lead to a higher level of self-esteem and self-worth.
Your posture and your level of awareness are also connected. If you have a good posture, you will tend to be more alert and aware of your surroundings. Aside from the fact that being more aware will enable you to succeed in the office or classroom, you will feel more included in the lives of those around you when you are aware of what’s going on.
Maintaining a good posture will also result in higher energy levels. When you avoid the temptation to hunch or slouch and keep your body upright, you will notice that you have more energy throughout the day. This is because your body runs at its most optimal levels when it’s in the right position.
Improving Your Posture
After learning all the benefits a good posture can have on your body, physically and mentally, you may be wondering how to fix your posture. Luckily, there are plenty of easy steps you can take towards a more confident stance and a healthier mood.
One of the most important things you should do is simply practice “looking up.” For example, if you’re seated at a desk, place your monitor on a big book or riser so that the screen is level with your eyes. This will force you to look up, which in turn will help you to keep your body straight and your shoulders back.
You can also engage in some posture exercises throughout the day. A scapula squeeze can be very helpful in strengthening the muscles in your back and arms, which can help you stay upright. To do this, all you have to do is pull your arms back and squeeze your shoulder blades. Press-ups on your elbows, which can be done while sitting at a table, can gently stretch the lower spine and improve your posture as well.
Working With a Professional
If you are determined to fix your posture but you can’t seem to do it on your own, try seeing a physiotherapist or chiropractor! Our team at Tread Well is ready to work with you to improve your posture!
Give us a call at 289-337-1657 , or visit our website and fill out the contact form today!
