Sit Like This, Boost Your Mood

Want to stop the 3 p.m. crash before it ever starts? Sit up. Walking or sitting with a slouched, sloppy body posture can lead to decreased energy levels and and even feelings of depression, finds a new study in the journal Biofeedback.

Researchers recruited 110 people, asking half to walk down a hallway in a slouched position, and the other half to skip. Participants filled out questionnaires to rate their general depression and energy levels before and after the experiment. The two groups then switched tasks.

The results: Slouched participants reported a decrease in energy and an increase in depressive, negative feelings, while the skippers reported an energy boost and claimed their posture evoked happier, more positive memories.

“We always assume that depression is caused by biochemistry, but really it’s conditioned to many aspects of your life, including your posture and the way you carry yourself,” says study author Erik Peper, Ph.D., a health education professor at San Francisco State University.

Obviously changing the way you sit won't do much if you have severe, clinical depression. But research shows that small changes in your routine can steer you toward the right path. (Start with these 5 Easy Fixes to Lift Your Mood.)

This especially holds true for the average American. “Think about how our culture has shifted over the past 100 years. We’re very collapsed throughout the day,” says Peper. “You work all day, come home, eat, then slump in front of the TV.” If you can make even the slightest alteration to the way you carry yourself, it can do wonders for your energy and mood, Peper says.

Your move: Use the 20-20 rule. "Trying to sit up perfectly straight all day is impractical and will only tire you out," says Alan Hedge, Ph.D., an ergonomics professor at Cornell University. Instead, every 20 minutes, stand for 20 seconds and stretch or shake things out. "Just 20 seconds away from your computer screen reduces fatigue and increases blood circulation," says Hedge. Better yet, take it to the next level: Eliminate sitting altogether and discover How to Upgrade to a Stand-up Desk.

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