The Implications of Bad Posture for Stress Management

You may be wondering what posture has to do with stress management. Well, it turns out that it has more to do with stress relief than you might think.

When a person is stressed out or fatigued, he or she will often slump forward. Bad posture not only restricts breathing, it also reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. Without regular oxygen to the brain, you cannot always think straight, making it easier to feel panicked or overwhelmed.

Interestingly, straightening the spinal cord has the exact opposite effect: it promotes relaxation by increasing oxygen in your blood and soothing muscle tension.

The Benefits of Correct Posture for Stress Relief.

1. Use energy and muscles more efficiently.

When you use your muscles more efficiently, additional energy is not required for simple tasks. For example, if you bend at the waist to pick something off the ground, you will be straining your lower back and expending more energy than if you’d correctly bent your knees, keeping your upper body erect. When you move more efficiently, you will be reserving energy to be spent on other tasks.

2. Avoid neck and back pain.

Neck and back pain are common complaints and are stressful in and of themselves. Incorrect posture will place additional strain on all parts of your body, particularly on your lower back and neck. If you keep correct posture, you will be protecting you spine, organs, joints, muscles and bones, helping to prevent the onset of conditions such as arthritis.

3. Improve mental outlook.

Simply standing tall and holding yourself correctly can have a dramatic effect on the way you feel. Even if you don’t feel particularly strong or confident, carrying yourself properly can help change your mentality, just as the simple act of smiling can release serotonin even when you are down. The action – or in this case, posture — can trigger a better mental attitude.