Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and even have an impact on our chances for success.
Use Your Body Language to Change Your Brain
Each thought you think has a biochemical reaction in your brain.
Recently studies at Harvard University have reveled to us the power of power posing, and using our body to change our brain.
We have been aware for decades that exercising changes the brain, and creates those ‘feel good’ chemicals we all desire. It has been shown to be as effective if not more effective than an antidepressant!
Our body language has a dramatic effect on how we feel.
You know this.
You know that you feel more confident when you are sitting up tall with a smile verses hunching over with arms crossed and looking down. . . go ahead try it;)
Types of Power Poses
Superman/woman:
Standing tall, chest out, head and eyes up, smile on your face, with you hands on your hips like superman.
Winning the Race:
Stand tall with a huge smile on your face and your hands in the air like you are just crossing the finish line of a race you won.
The studies reveled that standing in these poses for just 2 minutes begins to create brain chemicals and hormones that boost your confidence, bring joy, and prep you mind for success.
Fake it Until You Make It
It turns out, the old saying “fake it until you make it” is completely true.
If you stand in a pose that represents what you are wanting to feel, you brain will begin to make those hormones and chemicals as if you were really feeling that way, which leads you to experiencing the emotions you were wanting in the first place.
The more you practice powerful stances and body language, the more you will change your brain and place that feeling on autopilot.
Action Step
Use your body to change your brain! The next time you are in a slump, needing motivation, confidence, success or a new mindset- move your body and power pose! It will make all the difference in the world!
- Stand in one of the above power poses for 2 minutes
- Dance, jump, run, walk, shake
This will begin creating the chemicals you need to feel differently!
I would highly recommend watching this TEDtalk about power posing.
Now tell me, did you feel different after trying these poses? Let me know below!
10 Comments
I’ve watched that Ted Talk a couple of times; always makes me smile. I can’t say that I’ve tried it, but I have been more aware of positioning when I’m talking to people. It’s a pretty fun and interesting topic!
It definitely has made me be more aware as well! It surprised me to notice how often I was slouched and even breathing shallow throughout the day.
Very nice site….I was trying to leave comment on your recipe for tumeric….as I was told I needed to add it to my diet to see if it will help with pain
Turmeric is wonderful pain! Especially this turmeric milk:) https://renewingallthings.com/portfolio/coconut-turmeric-milk/
So interesting and totally makes sense!
Great article, makes a lot of sense!
Thanks Ally! I love it:)
there’s always a body-mind connection that so many of us are not even aware of
Love this! I am a firm believer that our words have power, because that is what the Word tells us, but this goes even deeper to show how our words and actions connect to our emotions. I am definitely doing these tomorrow to get a jump on having a great day!
I love doing this in the morning Rhiannon! It is amazing what a difference taking a few minutes in the morning to get your mind right can do for the rest of your day 🙂