Posture: Stand tall, you’ll like it

Jodi Schulz<schulzj@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - October 01, 2015

Research shows that confidence is found in standing tall and sitting straight.

There are those days, the ones where it feels like you can’t get up and go. Where you’re sluggish and seemingly have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Likewise, you’ve likely experienced days where you have a little more pep in your step. Where nothing can get you down and you feel like you’re literally standing 3 inches taller. Did you know your non-verbal communication skills will often tell how you feel about yourself, the kind of day you’re having or your attitude? It’s true, and oftentimes it’s your posture that gives it all away.

When you feel good about yourself, you exude confidence. You stand taller, eat healthier, sleep better and have a “go get ‘em attitude.” Your feelings and your posture together create an impression that will tell others whether you are ready to tackle the world or not.

Remember that posture isn’t just about how you stand, it’s about how you sit too! In a study done by The Ohio State University titled “Body Posture Affects Confidence In Your Own Thoughts, Study Finds” researchers found that sitting up straight in your chair isn’t just good for your posture, it also give you more confidence in your own thoughts. Researchers also found that people who were told to sit up straight were more likely to believe thoughts they wrote down while in that posture concerning whether they were qualified for a job.

Posture, like many skills, needs to be practiced. When you’re having a rough day and feel like you may need a restart, consider practicing your power poses. If you’re not sure what a power pose is, you can learn more in the Michigan State University Extension article, “Power poses: you can gain confidence top!”

Posture is a skill you consciously need to work at, especially when you experience one of those days when you’re not feeling like a rock star. Remember that even sitting up straight in your chair will help you to be more confident, even if you can’t stand confidently.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).