How a Good Posture can Lead to a Better Attitude

Did you know simply sitting up straight will make you happier? Your posture determines your mood for the day. Proper positioning of the body while standing, sitting, and lying down defines your level of positivity. It’s timeless advice your mother gave you that has real roots in science.

The way you carry your body sets the course for your brain. Normally, we do not hold good posture. Certain muscles are trained to automatically do it. Our postural muscles work overtime to prevent gravity from pushing us over. Stress, pregnancy, obesity, even high heels can all cause bodies to be misaligned.

That’s why it’s important to be mindful of your posture and how it can affect the way you feel. There is a multitude of reasons why it leads to a better attitude.

Body Language

Whether you realize it or not, your body language is closely related to posture. The way we move our bodies impacts our habits and how others see us. Ohio State University has run a few studies on posture and mood. They discovered that posture controls confidence in your own thoughts. Research also determined that opinions can subconsciously influence physical behavior.

When participants in this study shook their head for “no” or nodded in agreement, their body language and posture affected their opinion (without them realizing it). The same study also determined that hugging yourself can reduce physical pain. This also applies to good posture. The more aware you are of how your body sets the mood, the easier it is to control.

Back Pain

31 million Americans experience lower back pain at any given time. It’s the single leading cause of disability worldwide. Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their life. It can cause severe stress, anxiety, and depression.

Bad posture leads to back pain. Continuously slouching or positioning your body poorly will take a toll. Long-standing postural problems usually take longer to address but the sooner you start standing up straight, the happier you will be.

What Happens When our Posture Changes?

A great deal occurs when our bodies are misaligned. It can create emotional turmoil. Once you are aware of bad positioning, a lot can happen when you correct it, including: