According to a report by Time magazine in November 2010, adjusting your posture can actually cause changes in brain chemistry, affecting mood and self-perception.
Most of us can remember our parents or grandparents chiding us to sit up straight and stop slouching. At the time, these admonitions may have been unwelcome, as nearly every teenager knows that the secret to looking “cool” is slumping in your chair. However, new research has shown that our elders may have given wiser advice than even they suspected.
Those who take up more physical space by sitting up tall, resting their feet on a desk or placing their hands behind their head are not only perceived as more powerful, they actually feel more powerful. Researchers found that subjects in power postures experienced increased levels of testosterone and decreased levels of cortisol, the hormone that controls the body’s reaction to stress. Conversely, researchers found that those in submissive postures, such as sitting with shoulders slumped, ankles crossed or with arms hugging the body, experienced lower levels of testosterone and higher levels of cortisol.
In a deposition or mediation, the image you exude can have a significant impact on your case. Despite how uncomfortable you may feel, convey a posture of power. Sit up straight, rest your hands on the table in front of you, and keep your chin up. Your body will actually trick your mind into feeling more powerful. By following this important advice, not only will your increased confidence add credence to your case, it will help you feel more in control at a time when you may need it the most.