An understanding of the connection between feelings and body posture
The way you feel influences your body language. Your body language influences the way you feel.
And that’s really important information for you to know.
(I’ll come back to why in a moment).
So let’s take the first statement:
“The way you feel influences your body language.”
Think about it…
The nervous candidate in the interview waiting room.
The anxious mother waiting for her child to come home.
The uncomfortable presenter waiting to go on stage.
What does their body language look like?
Closed.
Eyes down.
Withdrawn.
Crouched.
Making themselves “smaller”.
And the list goes on.
Then think of the supreme athlete just before the race.
Or the superhero just about to save the world.
How do they look?
Upright.
Tall.
Straight.
Looking up.
Making themselves “bigger”.
Ready to take on anything!
The problem is…
Most people spend too much time “in their head” to notice their posture. In other words, people get trapped in their “monkey mind.” The busy, busy, busy thinking mind that seems to separate itself from the body.
And that’s really a shame.
Why?
Let’s go back to the second statement in the title…
“Your body language influences the way you feel.”
So within seconds, by consciously changing your physical position, you can change the way you feel.
That’s because…
Your limbic system (subconscious mind) has leaned that certain postures go with certain feelings.
Why not test it now?
Stand up (if you aren’t already standing) and try to reach the ceiling or the sky.
Get right on your tip toes.
Stretch your arms and legs and reach up – higher and higher.
And how are you feeling now, compared to before you stretched?
Different, right?
You see, it is impossible for you body (where your feelings live), to feel sad or anxious or angry when you reach for the sky.
The feeling and the posture simply don’t match!
There is now an increasing wealth of scientific evidence that shows that simply by changing your body language you can change the way you feel.
So why not take a walk now as you at your most confident – full of self belief. Take on an air of supreme confidence and walk in a way that shows this. (Yes you may look silly, but who cares!)
And remember, to become a master of using your body language to influence the way you feel, first you have to learn to increase your self awareness and “get out of your head”.
I’m off to notice how the way I feel influences my body posture and, if I want to change the way I feel, take action and change the way I’m sitting or standing or moving.
How about you?
To your happiness and fulfillment.
Steve Neale
“Europe’s Leading Expert on Personal and Professional Growth”
Psychologist, Executive Coach, EI Practitioner, Award Winning Trainer, International Author, Psychodynamic Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Mindfulness Instructor, International Speaker, Creator of the LPS, Creator of the Accredited Masters in High Performance Leadership
