Presented by BetterHelp.
Though many people know that body language helps with communication and relationships, few realize that it also has a significant influence on how we feel. Specific poses and postures can decrease stress, relieve tension, and promote confidence and happiness. So if you are looking for easy ways to improve your mood and mental health, just striking the right poses and postures can help immensely. Here are some body language tips to improve your mental health.
Good Posture
Sitting up straight and forming good posture isn’t just good for your body; it is good for your mental health too. When we slouch or have sluggish posture, we tend to feel lazy, moody, or a bit down. However, good posture not only indicates optimism and confidence to others but also develops them within yourself.
Research shows that those who have good posture tend to experience higher self-esteem and less stress. Participants in these studies who kept good posture felt better about themselves and were able to be more productive as well.
So when you’re sitting, make sure to sit up straight and keep your head up. When walking or standing, don’t slouch or drag your feet. Keep your back straight and chin up. Not only will you feel better emotionally, but your back will also thank you.
Power Poses
If you’re looking for a quick way to increase your confidence, then strike a power pose. Think like Superman or a major business leader for this. You want to make yourself bigger and take up more space as this indicates confidence and the belief that you are larger than life.
A classic example is placing the hands on the hips in a classic Superman pose. You can also put your hands behind your head, especially if you are sitting down. Keep your shoulders and body open, and make sure to take up space instead of shrinking away to indicate power, confidence, and assertiveness.
Smile
Sometimes you need to fake it until you feel it. This is especially true with smiling. Some people struggle to remain in a good mood and therefore don’t smile too often. Many people believe that a smile is a reaction to good emotions, so consequently, they only smile when they feel happy.
However, proactively smiling can boost your mood and create genuine feelings of happiness and joy. So if you are looking for tips to feel happier and lighter, try faking a smile. Soon enough, you’ll feel happier, and that smile will be genuine.
Open Your Body
Closed body language indicates fear, insecurity, and withdrawal. It shows others and yourself that you don’t want to socialize and are not in a good mood. Nothing will detract a person from engaging with you like the crossing of the arms and legs and a hunched over body.
Therefore, if you want to socialize more and develop a more open and jovial demeanor, you need to exhibit more open body language. Don’t cross your arms when talking with others, and try to keep your legs open and apart as well. Drop your shoulder to relieve any tension and stress, and try to relax your body. This will not only open the doors to more positive engagement with your peers, but you will feel more relaxed and secure as a result.
Final Thoughts
How we hold ourselves not only affects others’ first impressions of us but also influences our own perceptions of ourselves. People with open and confident body language have higher self-esteem, confidence, and happiness. By making simple changes to your body language, you can become more confident, less stressed, and more relaxed and open.
For more information on the importance of body language for your mental health, you can find more resources at the link below:
