The Power of Non-Verbal Communication
According to a study, published in Healthcare magazine non-verbal communication makes up 65-90% of what we communicate to others.
In fact, the messages that our body language sends to others and to ourselves are incredibly powerful.
So what does this mean for those of us suffering from the pain and uncomfortable symptoms of uterine fibroids?
It’s hard to sit up straight and practice proper posture when you’re experiencing fibroid-induced cramps, pelvic pain, backaches, bloating throbbing aches, and acute pains.
Even worse, the impact that fibroids can have on our posture can communicate unwanted messages to others and to ourselves.
According to a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, sitting and standing with good posture increases positive thoughts and as a result, self-confidence, while slouching increases negative thoughts and lack of confidence.
In the study, the participants were seated at a computer terminal and instructed to either sit down with their backs erect and push their chest out (confident posture) or slouched forward with their backs curved and their faces looking at their knees (doubtful posture).
While holding their assigned posture, the students were asked to write down either three positive or three negative personal traits as they related to future job performance, and they were asked to rate how well they think they would perform at that future job.
The outcome of the study was that the participants in the confident posture down significantly more positive thoughts and rated themselves much higher in regard to their performance as future employees. While the participants assigned that sat in a doubtful posture, wrote significantly more negative thoughts about themselves and rated themselves lower in regard to future job performance.
With so many studies finding a clear connection between confidence, self-esteem, and posture, as well as the messages it sends to others, you may be left wondering:
What am I supposed to do? Should I just force myself to sit up straight even though it hurts?
No. Of course not. But there are actions you can take to make you more comfortable in the short term, as well as treatment available to help you in the long term as well.
