My Rescue Remedy Posture

If you know me, you know where to find my bottles of Rescue Remedy stashed in my purse, desk and car. I reach for this anxiety-relieving homeopathic remedy whenever I need to take a chill pill. Recently, I discovered a tool that works as well as Rescue Remedy to instantly relieve stress when I feel overwhelmed or anxious. 

It’s called Power Posing.

Did you know that standing in a certain position actually alters your brain? Science shows that power poses reduce stress hormones. Research also shows that those who practice a power pose before a job interview experience vastly more success in the interview than non-power posers. Because body language actually changes the mind, power posing is a simple technique to relieve stress and increase confidence.

Psychologist Amy Cuddy, who conducted the research on power poses and shared it in her popular TedTalk, states:

Our bodies change our minds, and our minds can change our behavior, and our behavior can change our outcomes. … Don’t fake it till you make it, fake it till you become it.”

Do you have moments of stress or anxiety? Then reach for a power pose to change your mind by changing your hormones!

Power Poses: A Two-Way Mind-Body Connection

The world of mind-body wellness ceaselessly fascinates me. I love discovering how this connection works both ways: from the mind to the body and from the body to the mind.

We know that the mind affects our physiology. For example, science shows that optimists enjoy better health, live longer and have more success.

We also know that the body affects the mind. As an example, mental health relies on our production of neurotransmitters, and we must consume a nutrient-dense diet to produce adequate neurotransmitters.

But did you know that your body language can also affect the brain? Dr. Cuddy’s research shows that how we hold ourselves – in terms of posture – actually alters our hormones!

How Power Poses Work

1. When we feel powerful, we are more likely to assume a powerful posture. This means, for example, standing with our arms outreached or on our hips. These “power poses” take up space. I believe power poses work by expanding our vibration, and a higher vibration correlates to greater happiness and health.
2.  In contrast, when we feel embarrassed, shy or weak, we take an introverted position. We may cross our arms, cower, or lean in over our desk. We energetically shrink ourselves in these positions.
3. We can “trick” our minds into feeling powerful even when we feel shy or nervous by standing in a power pose. Amy found that test participants who stood in a power pose for two minutes experienced lower cortisol (a stress hormone) and higher testosterone (a “powerful” hormone) levels. Hormones act on the body and brain to change our emotions.

How I use Power Posing to Relieve Stress

First, I start and end each day with a two-minute power pose. I stand with with my feet hip-distance apart and my arms reaching up (like the model above). Did you know that your cortisol levels peak in the morning? A good breakfast and a power pose will instantly reduce that stress hormone.

I experience a tangibly higher sense of happiness and peace during and immediately after the power pose. Try it right now and see what I mean! Breathe deeply and envision a warm light radiating from your hands. The powerful visualization and the science-backed power pose truly does change your mood and brain.

Like I mentioned, I also reach for a power pose when I feel stressed. Butter-haters commenting on my butter loving apost? Inbox overflowing? I step away from the computer and reach up to the sky while breathing deeply. I encourage everyone to have a specific power poses they can use to relieve stress on-the-spot. You only need your own body to do it!

Finally, if I’m leaving the house to attend a meeting or school presentation, I’ll take a power pose before I leave. Amy recommends standing in a power pose for two minutes before a job interview to help balance your hormones in favor of a confident, optimistic performance during the interview.

Never underestimate the full potential of your body to change your mind… and vice versa!

Watch Amy’s presentation

Pin it here!

 Have you noticed that your posture changes your attitude? Are you going to practice power poses to reduce stress?