Sit Up Straight

“If you think about disaster, you will get it. Brood about death and you hasten your demise. Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience.”

 -- Swami Vivekananda

You must have noticed how a person who is in a miserable mood usually slouches in their chair. Their shoulders are slumped and their head is often bent forward - eyes to the ground.   
If you find yourself with your head lowered and your back bent over, ask yourself "How am I feeling right now?"  Then hold your head up and straighten your back. You will probably notice that you actually feel better.  It's another example of changing your reaction when you cannot change the event.

While researching this phenomenon I came across what appeared at first to be conflicting findings regarding potential harm to your back by sitting straight.  However, those who claim that sitting straight causes undue strain to be placed on the disks in your spine are referring to sitting in a rigid position with your back at 90 degrees, and those who recommend sitting straight are actually talking about your back reclined slightly at an angle of 100 to 130 degrees. Many call this the "relaxed" position. It is clear that sitting absolutely rigid can be at least as harmful to your back as slouching.

Our body posture can affect not only what others think about us, but also how we think about ourselves. Studies show that sitting up straight in your chair isn’t just good for your posture – it also gives you more confidence in your own thoughts thereby improving your mood.  So it looks as if all those mothers out there know what they are talking about.

When you are preparing for putting your mind to work on the solution to a problem, get comfortable, sit proud, and even try smiling a little.  It won't hurt and it helps put you in a positive mood.  All of your mindful sessions should begin with these easy steps because you are then prepared for success.