If you think of wonder woman, most people will think of her in a pose like the one pictured. This is a classic Power Pose. You may think it is just a way super heroes stand to look strong, but research has actually shown that standing in a pose like this for 2 minutes can change the way your body functions. Don’t believe it? Well keep reading to see what effect it has on the body. If it worked for Wonder Woman, it may also work for you too :)
Amy Cuddy, a Harvard Business School professor, gave a great TED talk on this exact topic a few years ago. You can watch it here. The talk was based on research she had done on these ‘power poses’ and body language. In the talk she discussed how important body language is, not only on the way others perceive us, but also how on we actually function. “Certain ‘power poses’ don’t just change how others perceive you, they immediately change your body chemistry” Professor Cuddy said.
In low power situations, people tend to close themselves off from others or wrap themselves up. In high power poses we open up and portray confidence and openess. You can see the high and low power poses used in the study in the image below. In her research, Professor Cuddy found some interesting results when she compared these two groups of people. Here are the key findings:
Higher levels of Testosterone (in both men and women) lead to increased feelings of confidence. Meanwhile, Lower levels of Cortisol lead to decreased anxiety and an improved ability to deal with stress. To put it simply, if you have higher levels of Testosterone and lower Cortisol you are biologically primed to be more assertive, confident and relaxed and at the same time, you will be less reactive to stress and more likely to handle pressure situation well.
You want to know the best thing with this? It only takes 2 minutes to achieve these results. That’s right, standing in a power pose for 2 minutes caused these changes in the test subjects. Amazing!
In low power situations, people tend to close themselves off from others or wrap themselves up. In high power poses we open up and portray confidence and openess. You can see the high and low power poses used in the study in the image below. In her research, Professor Cuddy found some interesting results when she compared these two groups of people. Here are the key findings:
- People in high power poses had increased risk tolerance compared to low power poses
- People with high power poses had a 20% increase in Testosterone compared to people in low power poses.
- People with high power poses had a 25% reduction in Cortisol levels (stress hormone) compared to those in low power poses.
Higher levels of Testosterone (in both men and women) lead to increased feelings of confidence. Meanwhile, Lower levels of Cortisol lead to decreased anxiety and an improved ability to deal with stress. To put it simply, if you have higher levels of Testosterone and lower Cortisol you are biologically primed to be more assertive, confident and relaxed and at the same time, you will be less reactive to stress and more likely to handle pressure situation well.
You want to know the best thing with this? It only takes 2 minutes to achieve these results. That’s right, standing in a power pose for 2 minutes caused these changes in the test subjects. Amazing!
How would you incorporate these poses into daily life?
Jamesclear.com suggests using a power pose like this:
In the TED talk linked above, Professor Cuddy suggests using Power poses before important interviews, meetings or tests to help give you a boost. It’s a simple way of creating positive changes in the body.
I have been trying these for a little while and have felt pretty good doing them. Try them and see how you feel. What have you got to lose? Your body will thank you for it.
References
Jamesclear.com suggests using a power pose like this:
- “Each morning, I’ll wake up and stand in a high power pose for two minutes. While I’m doing that, I’ll close my eyes, breathe in deeply for a count of 3, hold for 1, and then breathe out fully for a count of 5. In this way, I combine breathing exercises, mediation and power poses for a relaxing and confidence-boosting start to the day”.
In the TED talk linked above, Professor Cuddy suggests using Power poses before important interviews, meetings or tests to help give you a boost. It’s a simple way of creating positive changes in the body.
I have been trying these for a little while and have felt pretty good doing them. Try them and see how you feel. What have you got to lose? Your body will thank you for it.
References
- https://www.businessinsider.com.au/power-pose-2013-5?r=US&IR=T#and-thats-the-key-message-for-all-of-us-professor-cuddy-says-41
- http://jamesclear.com/body-language-how-to-be-confident
- TITLE-IMAGE: http://addcrusher.com/fire-adhd-brain-two-minutes-power-poses-natural-add-remedy/
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