Between sitting at the computer desk and looking down at our phones all day, we may spend more time than we realized slouched over -- and research shows that could be weighing on our mental health.
Good posture and core strength can actually help us feel less stressed, according to Peter Strick, a leading neuroscientist at the University of Pittsburgh.
"There's a clear link between how we move, think, and feel," Strick told NPR. "The muscles that control posture, our core muscles, have an impact on an organ that is involved in stress."
Strick said it comes down to the adrenal medulla, which releases adrenaline into the body when it receives a signal from the brain that we're stressed. Adrenaline makes your heart beat faster, increases blood flow to your brain and muscles, and raises blood sugar levels to give you energy.
During his research, Strick determined that "our stress response is controlled by more than just the 'thinking' part of the brain," NPR reported. The adrenal medulla is also receiving signals from other parts of the brain, such as those that control muscle movements, Strick said. Therefore, strengthening core muscles by sitting up straight and improving your posture "can modulate that stressful, fight-or-flight response," per NPR.
A study from March 2017, published in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, found that an upright posture may improve symptoms of depression.
The study aimed to investigate whether changing posture could reduce feelings of emotional distress and fatigue in people with mild to moderate depression undergoing a stressful task. It included 61 people -- half sat in a slouched position and the other half sat upright. Both groups underwent stress tests and then filled out questionnaires to measure their mood. The researchers found that those who sat in the upright posture had lower levels of fatigue and anxiety.
So, is there anything you can do? According to Harvard Health, it's never too late to make improvements to your posture, no matter how many years you've been slouching. There are several exercises you can do that are quick and simple and can lead to long lasting change.
One exercise to realign your spine can easily be done while seated. Sit upright as far back in your chair as possible, keep your feet flat on the floor, your chin parallel to the floor and relax your shoulders.