I think for most of us the answer is yes.

Yet, stress can mean many different things to different people.

And whether that stress manifests as emotional or physical, the real question is, “What can I do about it?”

I’ve been thinking about this a lot as I prepare for my online class next Wednesday – Finding Ease at the Computer – and did this live video on the subject earlier this week:

Here are the main points:

• Stress is both mental/emotional and  physical. They are not separate.
• Our “scrunched up” posture, or physical shape, as we work at our computer can be both a symptom of stress, and the cause of it.
• Many studies have shown a correlation between our posture and our mood.
• Compressed, scrunched posture (a typical posture you might see in someone sitting at their computer) correlates with feelings of anxiety, lack of confidence, and even depression.
• Upright, open, expansive postures correlate, on the other hand, with feelings of joy, pride, confidence, and creativity.

I then shared three simple ways to encourage your natural uprightness and easy poise:

#1 Awareness

Simply paying attention, noticing your posture/physical shape, is always the place to start. How can you change something if you are not aware of it? And, you’ll find, that sometimes just the act of awareness can become the change.

Don’t Sit Up Straight!

Contrary to much popular posture advice, please don’t force yourself to sit up straight. Most people end up using way too much tension, which is not only unsustainable, it’s uncomfortable and counterproductive.

We are looking for a relaxed yet upright posture – something dynamic, with movement and flow. That’s “easy poise.”

So, rather than “sit up straight,” I invite to think of gently undoing the compression, slump or tension. You can think of just doing a little less work as you invite yourself to unfurl. If you feel yourself starting to use more effort or tension you have gone too far.

Think!

Explore thinking, “I am free to be my full height.”

Nothing more, nothing less.

You can take up the space that is rightfully yours.

When we reclaim our innate natural uprightness we are open, expansive. We can breathe and think more clearly. We are more comfortable and move more freely. We are less stressed.

Start reclaiming YOUR natural uprightness today!

I’d love to hear from you. Please leave your question or comment at the bottom of this page.

*** There is only 1 place left for my Finding Ease at the Computer online class, which takes place next Wednesday, March 28! If you’re interested, claim that spot now!

Click here for all the information and to register >>