Amy Cuddy, social psychologist, demonstrated how our body language shapes who we are.

Body language is communication and interaction. It decides whom we ask out on a date, which we chose to hire or promote. We are influenced by non-verbal, i.e. our feelings our thoughts, our physiology, our non-verbal expressions of power and dominance. For example in the animal kingdom, we have all seen pictures of how animals expand, stretch themselves out and open up to show pride and power. The reverse is also true. When powerless, we make ourselves small.

In life, when interacting with others, we complement the other person’s behaviour. If they are making themselves powerful, we tend to do the opposite.

Amy Cuddy responded to the question:  ”Do our non-verbal’s govern how we think and feel about ourselves?”

Our mind changes our bodies and our bodies change our mind. In a study where the subjects needed to take a high powerful or low power pose, their levels of cortisol (stress hormone) and testosterone (dominant hormone) changed significantly. The subjects in high powerful poses became more assertive, confident and comfortable. The subjects in the low power poses became really stress reactive and feeling kind of shut down.

Our nonverbal do govern how we think and feel about ourselves. So yes, our bodies change our minds. Can power posing for a few minutes really change your life in meaningful ways? High power posers had more presence. They were more passionate, enthusiastic, confident, captivating, comfortable and authentic. So our bodies change our minds, our minds change our behaviour and our behaviour changes our outcomes.

Knowing that your physiology is really impacting who you are, use this knowledge to your advantage. Just ask yourself at any given time: ”How would I like to feel right now, what mood would I like to be in?” And proceed to enter the mood you want. Next time you are sitting on the couch, no curling up, bring you hands behind your head, spread out, be in a powerful pose so you will more likely be able to avoid the evening snacks. When you do your grocery shopping, walk talk, shoulders back, no rounding your chest in with your shopping cart and your food choices will be better. Look confident. Put your body in a confident position. Give yourself this opportunity. Give yourself 5 seconds. Some of you have made changes in the way you were standing or sitting as you are reading these words right? I guess it’s comfortable looking unconfident. Curling up might feel comfortable but, if you are ready and know what you want, start looking like it. Change your position and look confident. Head up, chest lifted. You will get more results. You are in the process of gaining control over your body.