Power Pose On, Power Pose Strong!

So we all know how our body language gives others information about us, but did you know that our body language gives information to our own body?? Researchers have identified that you can use your body language to make you think and feel better about yourself! Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist who works at Harvard Business School, and her team, conducted experiments where they had people engage in high power versus low power poses. High power poses are generally open and relaxed, whereas low power poses are closed and guarded - think Superwoman versus Iyor. For example, a high power pose would involve your feet shoulder-width apart, your hands on your hips and an open chest. A low power pose would be your arms crossed over your chest with your back hunched over. The study found that after two minutes of high power versus low power posing, testosterone levels were higher and cortisol levels were lower in the high power posers. Testosterone is considered to be a “dominance” hormone and helps us feel more confident. Cortisol is a “stress” hormone that, when lower, allows us to better manage stress, think more clearly and be more effective. The researchers then had a panel interview people who had engaged in two minutes of high power or low power poses. What they found was that a significant number of the high power posers were chosen to be hired because of their “presence” and not due to the content of what they said.