Researchers from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, have found that a person’s posture can have a positive influence on their mood and behavior. The study, published in the British Journal of Psychology, indicates that sitting upright can make people mentally sharper and happier.

Study Findings

The study involved nearly 200 participants who were asked to complete a risk-taking task on a tablet. Some participants were positioned to sit upright, while others were prompted to hunch over. The results showed that those in the upright posture group performed better in the task and reported more positive feelings than their peers in the slouching or control groups.

According to study senior author Jorge Armony, the effects were modest and only observed in a lab setting. However, the results highlight the body’s influence on mood and behavior. Armony noted that the findings do not mean that changing posture can dramatically transform a person’s life, but it does raise interesting questions about how everyday features of our environment, such as workplace ergonomics, can subtly influence mood and behavior.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.