Previous studies had already shown that adopting the standing position as often as possible improves the mood and self-esteem of healthy people. Researchers from the University of Auckland, Australia, investigated whether people suffering from depression mild to moderate may also benefit from an upright position.
Staying straight improves self-esteem
For this study, the researchers recruited 61 patients suffering from a mild or moderate form of depression. Some were assigned to a “your usual posture” group and others to a “take an upright posture” group. In this last group, they were asked to straighten their backs and shoulders, remember to stretch the top of their head towards the ceiling while pulling their shoulder blades down. And a band was placed on their back to help them maintain this position.
These 61 patients were then asked to perform the oh so stressful task of giving a speech in front of an audience for at least 5 minutes.
“The results of our study suggest that standing up straight can make you feel more alert and enthusiastic, less fearful and have higher self-esteem after a stressful task” the researchers point out.
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