Power Postures

Did you know that your body language reflects what you’re feeling inside? If you’re sad, your posture might be slumped and droopy; you might frown with your lips curved down, and your eyes will look sad. If you’re happy or proud, your shoulders are square and held high as you laugh or smile with your lips curved up, and your eyes will reflect that confidence or joy.

Power postures or poses occur when you take up a lot of space physically, stand or sit up straight with your shoulders back and your feet shoulder-width apart, and breathe deeply for two minutes. Within two minutes of adopting power postures, your testosterone levels increase by 20% and your cortisol levels decrease by 25%. Testosterone is a hormone found in both genders that increases confidence. Cortisol is the hormone that causes stress.

Use this physical technique to change your mental outlook. It’s hard to feel sad when you’re smiling. Even if you’re not happy, the small physical change of smiling produces positive effects.

Something to Think About
When our body language is confident and open, other people respond in kind, unconsciously reinforcing not only their perception of us but also our perception of ourselves.

Weekly Activity
Practice power postures each day this week and note the difference it makes in your confidence.

Words of Wisdom
“In fact, the confidence of the people is worth more than money.” – Carter G. Woodson

“When you have a lot of confidence and you feel like nobody can beat you, it’s game over for everyone else.” – Jason Day

“As is our confidence, so is our capacity.” – William Hazlitt

“Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.” – Vince Lombardi

“Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”- Lucille Ball

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Washington Thurman