Improve Your Mood With Better Posture

Improving posture for better movement, reducing pain, and avoiding injuries are all well addressed, but what about improving posture to improve mood? Depression statistics continue to climb affecting adults and children. To a great extent depression treatment has centered on medication or behavioral therapy without much focus given to movement, or more specifically to posture, but that is beginning to change.

One study evaluated energy levels, a proposed indicator of depression, on body posture. University students were asked to rate their general depression and subjective energy levels, and were then randomly divided into two groups. One group was required to walk in a slouched position, the other to skip with a swinging cross-arm action.

After their initial activity, they each ranked their subjective energy level, then switched activities, and once again ranked their energy level. Not surprising, skipping significantly increased their energy level and the slouched walking decreased energy levels. Imagine yourself skipping, swinging your arms, head up – did your energy level change just thinking about skipping? These students reported that skipping not only made them feel more energetic, but happier, more positive, and even evoked happy childhood memories, whereas the slouched walking made them feel sad, lonely, isolated, sleepy, or even “zombie-like”.

Positive thoughts and feelings are easier to create in an upright position. Even evaluating the mood of a stick figure can be impacted by its posture. A straight, upright figure is judged as having the most positive mood while a figure displaying a bent over position with forward head and shoulders is rated as having the most negative emotions. With our overall decrease in physical activity and increased amount of time spent sitting hunched over our computers or personal devices, this “depressed” posture is where we spend so much of our time.

So “keep your chin up”, it is not only a sign of good posture, it might just improve your mood.

Here’s a tasty way to serve up fresh green beans. Smokey bacon and tangy mustard give these tender-crisp green beans memorable flavor. This side dish pairs perfectly with steak or chicken on the grill or alongside a lettuce wrapped burger. Enjoy! 

Servings: 6 

Here’s what you need…

• 2 lbs green beans, trimmed
• 6 slices bacon
• ½ cup yellow onion, sliced
• 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons whole grain mustard
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the green beans and cook for 5 minutes. Drain the beans into a colander and place under cold water for 20 seconds. 
2. In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy over medium-high heat. Remove the bacon from the skillet, leaving the bacon drippings, and chop into 1-inch pieces. 
3. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and cook the onions in the bacon drippings for 5 minutes, or until tender. Reduce the heat to low and add the vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper, stirring until fully combined. Add the green beans and the bacon pieces and mix well. Serve and enjoy!

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 158 calories, 8g fat, 12g carbohydrate, 6g fiber, and 10g protein. 

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