I love a slouchy sweater, for any season. I love a slouchy hat, with its pliable brim or soft fabric. But a slouchy stance? Posture imperiled?
Slumping is not attractive, and it’s anything but admirable.
Don’t we perceive those who stand up straight as more confident, and those who slouch as indifferent, insecure, or at the very least – tired?
We all know that body language is important in projecting who we are. But what if our unconscious slouching carries more impact than we realize – on health, well-being, not to mention – professional performance? What if we could seem bigger, “be” bigger, merely by adopting a different stance?
In an article running in the June issue of Elle, “Supersize Me,” writer Coco Meyers addresses the ways in which we stand – or slouch – often to our detriment.
Healthy Heights
At 5’2″ tall, Ms. Meyers expresses her conviction that she can’t afford to sacrifice so much as a millimeter – and simply because she has poor posture.
According to experts she consulted, including psychologist Dr. Dana Carney at U. C. Berkeley:
… when people “expand to take up more space,” such as when they stand up straight, they were perceived as being more powerful and secure compared with when they were slouching.
If we feel more powerful and secure, aren’t we delivering improved performance?
Good Posture Benefits
Beyond the perceptions of others, it seems the research subjects actually felt better. In fact, saliva samples showed an increase in testosterone levels after the participants explicitly straightened up.
The article goes on to explain that we are at our tallest when we wake in the morning, and at our shortest at night – no doubt the effects of gravity, along with hours hunched over our computers, our desks, our sinks, our – well, almost everything.
Think about it. Now. Right this second.
Are you filling your lungs with air and standing straight? Or are you reading on a smartphone slumped in a chair, or draped over your desktop? What if you consciously straightened up and noted the difference in how you feel?
Stand Up When Speaking Up
When I was a kid and we were called on in class, occasionally we were required to stand and speak. The act of rising may make us feel conspicuous (dreadful, as a teenager), but it also encourages physical changes that facilitate greater self-assurance. We fill our lungs, we stretch our vertebrae – and apparently, we’re upping our testosterone.
Once, it was routine to hear parents chide their children over pitiful posture. And maybe we shouldn’t have stopped.
My personal preference in professional settings? It’s always been to stand and speak – and to exploit the surprise of projecting confidence, especially important when you’re small in stature.
Pre-Posture-ous?
Who among us doesn’t recognize that we equate taller with more powerful?
If that were true without exception, even in heels, this little woman would be sunk. And yet, preposterous as it may sound, in my more public days (of corporate speaking), no one realized I was tiny in stature.
I stand when I speak and unconsciously – I empower my posture and likewise, it empowers me: shoulders back, deep breath, voice aligned with spine (or so it seems), and my words are filled with conviction.
And speaking of words, should we contemplate the expressions “stand up for what you believe” and “rise to the occasion?” And what about describing someone as “spineless?”
This isn’t empty posturing; standing straight is clearly helpful, and language reflects our observations and experience.
Spine Savers
Coco Myers’ article offers several intriguing lines of inquiry.
She points out that research reveals that “chronic postural imbalance stresses muscle tissue,” and can eventually lead to bone and joint trauma. She goes on to explore a variety of methods to “reboot” our neuro-muscular systems, and the necessity of keeping our minds in the game.
It’s an informative article, and I realize that an exercise routine of situps or swimming or anything else doesn’t automatically mean I’m paying attention to posture – and clearly, it matters. I plan on giving a few of the article’s suggestions a shot – especially as I spend hours bent over a laptop.
I’m not expressly aiming for “perfect posture,” but incremental improvements? At a hair under five feet tall myself – I wouldn’t mind inching my way in the right direction.
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Stand and speak — absolutely. Quaker Meeting is good practice for that. You stand when/if you’re ready, and if you’re ready, you’re not going to be whispering or whimpering.
Fran and I were each brought up for “posture” but that is slipping.
It’s funny, Paul. It was part of my upbringing (and I’m guessing, yours). Bringing up my own kids, when I would see them slouch, I’d tell them to stand up straight (they hated it). We no longer insist on the importance of standing straight – and this article offered ample evidence that we should – at any age! (I for one am going to pay closer attention.)
I try to practice good posture (safe posture?) but as soon I’m on autopilot and slumpin’ like crazy. Then I see a pretty girl…
Uh-huh. Gandalfe, I salute you! 😉
I’m hoping to find a pilates class I can commit to – I feel taller and stronger for several days after one of those classes!
Interesting that the one place that continues to be big on posture is the military. And yes, although Fran and I each heard this advice when young and were less than thrilled by it, to mention it to young people today borders on appearing ridiculous. I think in the old days this was considered indicative of the class of “the better people.” Advice to this “class” (if you will) could sometimes be pretty good advice — about eating, weight, exercise, education, moderation, etc.
Of course, our “fun” might seem a little formal and too quiet to others, but it generally did feel like fun and being part of a supportive community. I was very fortunate with my family, whose behaviors and values were closely connected.
It was required in my all-girl senior high for those who were at the top of their classes to join the marching band. I cannot remember how to play the trombone any more, but those 3 years of posture “training”, e.g. standing against the wall for a long period of time, has stayed with me. I am a believer in getting into the posture suitable for the type of person that you want the others to see. If you want to be seem as confident, make yourself seem bigger by standing tall and arms akimbo. You will most of the time end up really feeling that way too. Studies have shown just so. http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/631725.html
Posture training. Yes! And thank you for the link! 🙂
As one who is a bit on the vertically challenged side, I try and make up for it with good posture… and 3-inch heels! I can’t help but think of Linda Hunt (Hetty Lang on NCIS: LA). At 4 foot 9 inches, her character commands attention and respect every time she’s in a room!
Standing up straight was a requirement to graduate the college I attended. I went twelve weeks to posture class and failed to get it right. I am slouching toward Bethlehem.