Did you know that last year alone, the global anti-aging market was valued at $194.4 billion? Take a minute to let that number sink in! While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look and feel youthful, this can sometimes come with a high price tag and a big time commitment to actually see results. But what if I told you there’s a quick fix that can instantly make you look 10 years younger right now—and you don’t have to spend a fortune?
It all starts with good posture. Have you ever noticed how people carry themselves can make them look either younger or older than they actually are? Slouching and hunching over can make a person appear older, while standing up straight, regardless of a person’s age can make them appear younger. So how does good posture actually make you look 10 years younger? Let’s dive into the details.
Good posture makes you grow a few inches
When you slouch, it compresses the spine by accentuating the naturally occurring curves that it has. No fun. Plus your neck muscles have to work extra hard to hold your head up when this happens (hello neck pain and tension).
Think of a crinkled-up slinky compared to one that’s nice and stretched out. The slinky can’t be as long or tall as one that has been well taken care of. Your spine works the same way, so do it a favor and stand up straight. This puts it in its “happy place” and enables you to not only move better but feel and look younger as well.
Good posture makes it look like you’ve lost 10 pounds
Remember as a kid when you would be goofy and try and pudge your stomach out? (If not then maybe my friends and I were the only weirdos who did that!). Did you stand up straight or slouch over to do that? You slouched! It’s nearly impossible to make it look like you have a beer gut when you stand up tall.
That’s because standing up straight lengthens out your spine. With this extra length, your ribs, pelvis and organs can all settle in where they need to be, instead of getting squished out and forward.
Good posture makes you look more confident
As Barbara Pachter writes in her book The Essentials Of Business Etiquette, “I believe that if you project a confident, credible, composed image, people will respond to you as if you are all those things.”
People who exude confidence stand up firm and tall with authority. So how do we put this into action? Let’s take some notes from power pose expert Amy Cuddy, who recommends standing like Wonder Woman. Her research indicates that standing tall in this position for just 2 minutes can increase testosterone, decrease cortisol and even promote a higher pain threshold. Why not give it a try?
I hope you feel empowered to try standing tall! Give it a go and let me know how it goes. Have specific questions or aches and pains affecting your posture? Contact us to see how we can help!
