Your posture affects your attitude, so give yourself a boost!
Believe it or not, your posture affects your attitude.
Or could it be, your attitude affects your posture?
Both statements are true. Posture is an odd topic for a singles web site, but it does tie in with helping you live a happier, more fulfilling life. As a former sloucher, I've discovered that the way you carry yourself has a definite effect on the way you feel.
For singles, how we sit and stand also shouts volumes to people who are paying attention, maybe to someone we want to attract.
Here's the inescapable truth: We do get judged on our appearance, whether we like it or not, and standing or sitting up straight is one factor we can easily do something about.
My posture-challenged life
I battled low self-esteem throughout high school and most of college. I didn't think I was as good as my peers, and it showed in the way I carried myself. I slumped when I walked, I slouched in chairs, I stood hunched over much of the time.
That's not uncommon. I'm not sure what the psychology is behind it, but I seemed to be subconsciously flinching at life. It was as if I was bowed down from carrying a heavy burden, and in a very real way, I was.
For much of my life I didn't understand who I was in Jesus Christ. I was traveling under my own strength and not surprisingly, it wasn't adequate for me.
Sometimes I'd catch a reflection of myself in a store window or a mirror. My first thought was, "Yikes! Why am I all bent over?" I did not understand at that time that your posture affects your attitude.
Success in my career as a reporter gained me more self-confidence, but any improvement in the way I carried myself wasn't permanent. I still have to work at it, many years later.
We're judged by our appearance
You can be the nicest, most considerate person in the world, but bad posture tells people something's wrong inside, whether there is or not.
Today's culture judges us by our appearance. Yep, I agree that's unfair and it shouldn't be that way, but standing up straighter is something important we can improve just by monitoring ourselves. I can feel when I'm slumping and need to straighten up.
Today's culture judges us by our appearance. Yep, I agree that's unfair...
Strangely, although I tend to stand straighter when I feel more confident, I also feel more confident just by forcing myself to stand to my full, impressive 5-foot, 7-inch height. Just by adjusting my back and tightening my gut, I can feel ten feet tall!
Some trick!
Bonnie, a friend at Illinois State University (and one of the most attractive women I've ever known), had ramrod straight posture, whether she was sitting or standing. It made her seem alert and self-assured. Twelve years after college, I saw her again, and she was still standing straight as ever. Just as impressive!
Resist posture posing
Today's trend may be to slouch, as if you're super-casual or don't give a care. Please don't fall into that trap. Slumping is for chumps. Along with clothing that's way too huge, it gives a silly message that you're trying too hard to be cool.
Check your appearance in a full length mirror or your reflection in a store window. Slouch and see how it feels, then stand up straight and notice the changes in your body. Memorize what good posture feels like, then every so often during the day, check yourself.
I don't mean constantly admiring yourself--you'll quickly be pegged as a narcissist if you do that. No, just nonchalantly pay attention to how you're standing, walking and sitting. If you're slouching, straighten up!
You'll look better, feel better, and send a powerful message that you've got your act together and are somebody worth knowing.
Your posture affects your attitude: Own it
We singles wage a nonstop war against depression, loneliness, and feelings of inadequacy. Because your posture affects your attitude, we need to use every resource we can to overcome negative feelings.
If you're a Christian, it's easy to forget who you are and what you possess. As an adopted son or daughter of God, you have a right to stand tall, confident in the knowledge that you are deeply loved and secure in your eternal future.
You're going places, fellow single! In fact, you're going to the best place ever created: heaven. That truth should give you an instant boost. There's nothing arrogant about being a Spirit-filled servant of God. It's something to be happy about.
Once again, I'm speaking from personal experience here, and I can testify to the difference standing tall makes. And if you're a naturally tall woman, be proud of the way God created you. Your height is a gift, part of your uniqueness.
When you own the truth that your posture affects your attitude, you'll start using this powerful mood-booster every day. Straighten up and thank God for the gifts he's given you.
