Still celebrating Women’s month this week and today we’re talking about posing for power, or maybe that should be power posing.
Did you know that the way you sit or stand, even for a short a period like two minutes, raises testosterone levels and lowers the stress hormone cortisol?
Long words… what do they mean… basically it boils down to the fact that research has shown it makes you feel different and therefore you’ll do your job better or interact with somebody in a more confident way—and better still, be perceived in a different way.
Like… as not such a pushover! If that sounds good to you – read on!
Often when we are not sure of ourselves we tend to cringe into as small a space as possible… wrapping our arms around our bodies, curling into a little ball, trying to be invisible. Right?
Well, power posing is all about stretching and expanding your body to take up as much space as humanly possible.
It really has been proven that the way you stand can make you feel more confident.
Testosterone is your “dominance” hormone. Often one associates this with men, but women have those hormones too and it’s time we started using them more! The amazing fact is that after just two minutes of standing in a power pose, those hormones can rise by as much as twenty per cent!
Even better, not only do your good hormones rise, but the meanie old cortisol (stress) hormones take a dive. It’s common knowledge that when a person is less stressed, they can think and act a whole lot clearer.
You don’t have to stand like that in public either, you can do it in private, before you have to go and talk to your boss, the head master or a parental agent – anybody who makes you feel anxious or nervous without good reason.
This works if you are being bullied too – own your space!
What exactly is a power stance? It’s not hard and there are different poses—but this is the most common:
- Stand tall with your legs apart, shoulders down and back, head up.
- Puff your chest out
- Put your hands on your hips (yes – just like superwoman!)
- Breathe deeply (in through your nose, out through your mouth—quality breaths people).
Researchers also say that power stances actually start with sleeping. No more curling up in foetal positions! You might wake up wondering why you feel out of sorts. Rather lie in an open position with your arms and legs outstretched!
Go for it ladies – own your power!
Sibo
xxxx