Posture
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Keep your head up, chest open, and shoulders pulled back to appear self-assured.
Research indicates this stance might boost your sense of confidence; it could also release dopamine during stress and lift your mood.
- Some argue that forcing this posture creates an aggressive rather than confident appearance.
4 people, independently
Try a yoga class to improve your posture and get in shape.
Getting in shape is great for confidence.
one person who lived it
Strengthen your stomach and shoulder muscles to support good posture.
A strong core (abs and back) equals good posture.
one person who lived it
Pull your shoulders backward and push your chest forward.
This causes the chest to expand and the shoulders to retract.
3 people, independently
Roll your shoulders back and hold a light squeeze until it becomes second nature.
One person reported this became lifechanging after nine years.
one person who lived it
Be skeptical of power poses as a method to counteract negative thoughts.
The study they are based on was small and poorly designed.
- Power poses are likely fake science.
one person who lived it
Create tension by pushing your pelvis and head back, then release it to a state of light, even tension for a natural posture.
It feels more natural than being rigid.
one person who lived it
Lead with your nipples when walking to encourage an upright chest.
One person reported that this technique works.
one person who lived it
Strengthen your lower lumbar and back muscles to naturally encourage an upright sitting position.
Training the back makes you want to sit up straight.
one person who lived it
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Imagine lasers firing from your nipples at people's heads to pull your shoulders back and maintain upright posture.
This visualization helps pull shoulders back.
3 people, independently
Slow down your speech and pause between sentences to appear mature and sophisticated.
Speaking too fast signals nervousness and low confidence, and can cause stuttering or mumbling.
one person who lived it
Use walking through a doorway as a trigger to consciously check and fix your posture.
Doorways naturally clear short-term memory, making them an effective cue for consistent habit formation.
one person who lived it
Wear a watch to become more conscious of your arm movements, which can help you correct posture on a regular basis.
The visual reminder increases awareness of what your arms are doing.
one person who lived it
Look at the ground several feet ahead of you, up to eye level, rather than directly at your feet.
This helps avoid tripping and avoids showing a submissive nature associated with looking down.
one person who lived it
Check if your weight is evenly distributed, your ankles are uncrossed, and your feet are flat and hip-distance apart to instantly improve posture.
Planting your feet this way causes immediate postural improvement.
one person who lived it
Perform knee side-to-side movements (shoulders on floor), low planks, and broom handle dowel moves to open the chest and strengthen the core.
These stretches and exercises specifically target core strength and chest openness.
one person who lived it
Do not assume good posture raises testosterone; high testosterone likely causes expansive posture by boosting confidence.
High testosterone boosts confidence, which leads to an expansive posture.
one person who lived it
Consciously recognize when you are slouching and correct your posture immediately.
6 people, independently
Regularly adjust your sitting and standing positions.
Humans are optimized for movement, so adjusting positions is best in the long run.
one person who lived it
Visualize a cord tethered to your crown lifting you upward to elongate your posture.
4 people, independently
Read 'Overcoming Poor Posture' by Steven Low for a structured program.
one person who lived it