5 ways to improve posture and exude confidence

You may be aware that your posture has something to do with how you feel and how you come across to others, but how to change these habits might not be obvious.

Here are 5 ways that you can start changing your posture throughout the day so that you can feel composed, present, and confident when it matters most.

1. Don't over-correct your posture. Have you ever heard the expression "fake it til you make it?" It doesn't apply to your posture. Trying to hard to stand up straight by lifting your chest and holding your shoulders back looks...well...fake (and is also pretty uncomfortable!) Try maintaining an open body position without straining so that your confidence looks natural. More subtle adjustments are more effective and sustainable.

2. Don't rush your words. Often postural issues are tied to habits of how we speak and breathe. Try slowing down and see if you feel more centered and less tense. I'm not talking about big pauses. Just try not to rush and allow yourself moments to breathe. In addition to feeling more calm and confident, you'll also give your listeners time to absorb what you're saying.

3. Avoid "tech neck". Screen time-induced postural habits may be putting a damper on how you come across. Set reminders for yourself to do a posture check-in when you're using your computer, phone, or tablet for an extended period. Make sure you're set up comfortably and if you catch yourself straining to look at the screen, bring it closer to you or increase the size of the font.

4. Be present. Practice being truely present with yourself and your surroundings more often so that during moments when you want to be at your best, you feel more calm and focused. We tend to unconsciously take on poor posture when we're busy with a task. You might notice that your shoulders are tight, for example, but the tightness snuck up on you and now you're not sure how to let the shoulders go. See if you can notice when they just being to tighten and then check out #5.

5. Reset. Take time to get away from whatever you're focused on to reset your posture. Here are two resources on my website that you can use as guides. Have a meeting, interview, or talk coming up? Try one of these audio guides beforehand and see if you feel more calm and confident...and a little more upright.
Guided floor exercise
Audio guide for sitting posture

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