07. Stand Up Straight

Stand Out with Self-Confidence

Body language speaks of a whole lot of things, including a person’s self-confidence. Self-confidence or the lack of it can be manifested in many ways, one of which is through body posture.

Body posture is the way one carries himself. It can be a basis for making first impressions which generally dictates the image of person in the eyes of another. Making good first impressions can be very beneficial. Take job interviews for example, most final interviews end within 20 seconds. Of course, the interview itself can take an hour or so, but the verdict has been made seconds after the applicant enters the room. He is generally evaluated through his gestures, body language and posture.

When one stands tall, he portrays an image of self-confidence. Having a good posture is a quick and sure way of building a good impression.

So what is a correct posture? It is a conscious effort to keep the body aligned against the body’s center of gravity. It is a posture where there is musculoskeletal balance. A person with poor posture can easily be spotted, he’s the one who slouches, with shoulders drooping and head bowed down as if looking for a long-lost coin.

There are many probable causes of poor posture. There are people who are born with back problems but the other causes of poor posture can already be considered as social norms. Young children are already at risk of developing poor posture as soon as they step into schooling. Day-in and day-out they are forced to bring heavy loads of school items like thick books and notebooks. Adults are also prone to worsening their postures by carrying heavy luggage and briefcases to work. People of almost all ages who spend most of the day in front of a personal computer and/or television are most likely to develop poor posture.

What can one do to be able to fix his posture? He must first remember that just like anything else, having a correct posture requires a conscious effort and dedication. Here are some tips on how to have a correct posture.

At work

-One must utilize an ergonomic chair which fits the back perfectly whenever possible. A good chair will definitely help in posture correction and it will most definitely give the best comfort for a long day’s work.

- Make sure that you are seated with your back against the seat and your knees at your hip level. Your shoulders should be parallel to your hips.

- Do some stretching every once in a while, just make sure your boss is not looking.

Carrying baggage

-Unless it’s absolutely necessary, try to leave some of the usual things that you bring during trips to lessen the weight of your baggage.

-If you’re using a backpack, make sure that you put the heavier items close to your back. This will result into better support and less back aches.

-Make sure that the handles and straps of your bags and backpacks are padded and wide. This will give extra support to your shoulders and back.

-The weight of a backpack should never exceed 15 percent of the person’s weight.

-Use backpacks which have hip straps

Everyday Living

-Avoid shoes with heels, the shorter the heels of the shoes, the better it is for your posture. Flat shoes are great for a person’s posture since heeled shoes can alter a person’s center of gravity which could result into a worsened body posture.

-Exercise regularly. There is no alternative to stretching and doing some cardio-vascular training every now and then. Exercise will help the body become stronger and build much needed back support.

Sleeping

-Avoid sleeping on your stomach. Sleep on your back or on your side.

-If you prefer sleeping on your back, you can opt to put a pillow under your knees to help align your spine. This is also good for blood circulation in the legs.

-If you prefer sleeping on your side, hug a pillow between your legs.

-Avoid those fluffy, over-sized pillows. They can be the cause of early morning neck pains.

Developing a good posture requires an alteration of the common things that one does everyday. However hard it may seem, it is still worth it, not only does it add up to one’s self confidence, it also a healthy physical practice.