Strike a Superhero Pose to Feel More Confident
It’s totally normal to feel stressed or have a little anxiety before a solo performance, like a job interview or big presentation, where everything feels like it’s on the line. Most of us palm-sweat our way through it and hope our deodorant holds. But there are superheroes among us who’ve physically tricked their minds into feeling and believing they’re badasses who’ve got this.
Holding “power poses” or a “superhero” position before taking your proverbial stage not only makes you feel better about it...but studies show performance improves.
A Harvard 2012 study looked specifically at the superhero pose. Participants held an “open” posture before preparing and delivering a speech; they also held a “closed” posture before the speech. Those open, or power, poses delivered the goods, and participants received higher marks after standing like a Super Person.
A Columbia 2010 study similarly evaluated, and identified, the benefit of these poses on performance. They also looked at the hormonal response to standing tall and proud before facing the crowd, and found that testosterone did, in fact, increase. Just two short minutes of intentional, open-bodied posing boosted testosterone, reduced cortisone (stress hormone), increased the “feeling” of being more powerful, and increased risk tolerance.
3 Super Power Poses to Try
The Superhero
- Stand with feet firm and flat, spread hip-width apart.
- Press your fists to your hips.
- Lift chest upward.
- Tilt head and neck back and face the sky.
- Hold for two minutes.
The Boss
- Sit in a chair with arms stretched back behind your head.
- Elbows flexed outward.
- Kick up your legs and rest your feet on a desk or table.
- Hold for two minutes.
The Decider
- Stand in front of a table or desk with feet about hip-width apart.
- Press hands on top of the table.
- Lean in, chest forward.
- Hold for two minutes.
Of all the things you rightfully don’t have time for… who among us can’t spare two whole minutes to build confidence, strength, power...even bravery? Allow yourself to take up more space, even for a mere 120 seconds, and your brain will read your goal loud and clear.
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