So how’s your posture?
If you’re sitting up straight, thank your Mom. She was right. (Again.) Sitting and standing tall is good for your brain.
No matter how you’re sitting, take note of yourself right now. Are you slouching? Slumping? Are your shoulders down and forward? Are you sprawled out or curled up? Do you feel powerful or powerless?
What does your body language say about you to others? To yourself?
According to research, it says more than words.
93% of communication is nonverbal.
Humans aren’t the only ones who use their bodies to communicate. In the wild, to appear powerful, animals expand or puff themselves up. Ever see a slouched over, angry grizzly?
Now, I’m a sprawler by nature. When I go to class, I sprawl. I pity the people who sit next to me. I’ve always been this way. I set out all my necessities, notebooks, pens, water bottle, calculator, phone, pencil bag, books — all the stuff is there, sprawled out on the table. In grade school I was always in trouble for having a messy desk.
Nothing much has changed. I yam what I yam.
I thought this was because I simply don’t know how to travel light. But no, according to research, it means I’m an alpha personality.
Moi?
I’ve had people tell me I come across as a strong, powerful woman. A “don’t-you-even-dare-mess-with-me” kind of gal. I don’t feel like this on the inside, but apparently that’s how I carry myself. My kids’ friends were always afraid of crossing me but I’m one of the nicest people I know! Really!
Besides sending messages to others with our body, we can also send messages to our own minds. Certain postures can make us feel more powerful. Research proves it and I’m going to try it out this week because powerful people take more risks and think more abstractly — important traits for a writer.
So for two minutes a day, I’m going to stand like this:
Standing like this for two minutes a day is supposed to raise your testosterone and lower your cortisol. It changes your brain’s mind about yourself. Seriously. It’s a thing. (You don’t have to wear the Wonder Woman get-up but if that’s what you’re into, go for it! Send me the pics and I’ll feature them here.)
I’m having a difficult time with life right now, and the enemy has been attacking my mind. So I’m going to give this pose a try and see how it affects my writing and get back to you. I’m also going to do it when I’m scared to clean my house, scared to tackle a personal conflict, or scared to make that phone call. (I hate talking on the phone.)
And while I stand there for two minutes with “arms akimbo” (I remember how tickled I was as a kid to know what “arms akimbo” meant), I’m going to recite these scriptures:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” 1 Timothy 1:7.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” Isaiah 41:10.
Want to join me? Stand like this for two minutes a day and tell me what happens!
To infinity, and beyond!
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