doctor, psychosomatologist, neuropsychologist
What can indicate a person’s tendency to slouch? I propose to dismantle the connection between posture and character, learn to analyze the possible causes of problems and work on their elimination.
Body language in psychology.
Once a very curious sociological experiment was carried out. The researchers decided to find out how people on the street react to two contrasting types of human behavior. One was expressed in a confident gait, a firm posture, a proudly raised head, and the second – in the absence of a smile on his face – slumped shoulders and small uncertain steps.
The purpose of the experiment was to find an answer to the question: does body language affect the perception of a person by other people?
It is not difficult to guess what the results were. People immediately reacted to the first type. Such a person captivated the opinions of passers-by towards himself, causing a variety of feelings – from admiration to envy. The second type of behavior, in turn, was ignored or pressured for a negative evaluation. The glances of passing people, as if not verbally, spoke of pity, sympathy, or even a desire to suppress such a person.
The experiment unequivocally proved: body language is very important, it is an integral part of the image of a person. Why is this happening?
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
Body language in psychology and psychosomatics is responsible for the unconscious perception of us by other people, as well as of them by us. It is about reading a person by non-verbal signs. The process is very complex, but at the same time quite understandable.
For example, a lie can be recognized by certain hand positions and actions that a person unconsciously performs while telling a lie. We can also distinguish between an open and a closed interlocutor, noting for ourselves how confident and easy it is in public.
Thus, the most striking, visible and tangible sign of confidence is precisely correct human posture. In short, here we are talking about the balance of the physiological position of the spine. Unfortunately, few manage to keep it.
According to statistics, one in three people in Russia have one or another type of curvature of the spine. These data scare both doctors and psychologists. Recently, it is the latter who are trying to draw the attention of the population to such a psychosomatic law, which says: “Prevention is easier than cure.”
Read about possible prevention methods:
“At 52, I’m healthier than many 30-year-olds.” Personal story about the experience of breathing practices
You may have a question: “Can bad postures and spinal diseases be prevented, moreover, with the help of psychology”?
To answer, I propose to trace the most common chain that unites the psyche and physiology. Imagine that a person is constantly under stress: a lot of work, little rest, a demanding boss, etc.
Implementing a large task front, he spends all the time at the computer. At the same time, of course, she sits in front of the monitor, neglecting the physiological needs of her body. The loyal nature of such a person will act as an aggravating factor. Installations like: “I have to”, “I am a subordinate”, “I am small and I want to hide” will begin to work against you. They will fix the wrong position.
All of the above factors taken together, to one degree or another, will lead to violations of posture. Interestingly, you can go in for sports, regularly strengthen your back muscles, but at the same time continue to slouch and face relapses of spinal diseases in the future.
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
Personality types by human posture
In psychology there is a whole typology of personalities according to the position of the spine, that is, the posture: hysterical, psychopathic, masochistic and schizoid. Let’s consider each in a little more detail.
1. Hysterical type he needs attention and recognition, so the posture here, as a rule, is confident and upright, even as if defiantly demonstrating their “playing in public.” The position of the back is perceived by others as plastic and mobile, as if that person is holding evenly with ease and without tension.
2. Psychopathic type – these are people who, on the contrary, are read by opponents as a “beam of tension.” The desire to control everything and even show your superiority is inevitably imprinted in the posture – tension and pride are felt.
3. Masochistic type it can be traced in people whose back is almost always in the wrong position. Due to insecurity and embarrassment, they almost always slouch. His arms hang heavily at the seams. The shoulders are desperately trying to “connect with each other”, which causes the back to round unnaturally.
4. Schizoid Type – These are, as a rule, short people of medium or thin build. The bow here is pronounced with raised shoulders. Also, this type has such a distinctive feature as the inability to maintain visual contact with opponents. From the outside it seems that a person is trying to hide and become invisible to others.
Also read:
Lying on the sofa or driving a sports car? 6 Vacation Options for Different Personality Types
psychosomatics of the back
The spine and back in psychosomatics symbolize the pillar of vitality, the basis of the foundations of the human body. It is they who “carry” the weight of unrealized ideas, unfulfilled dreams, the weight of past grievances and mistakes.
Imagine for a moment that such an emotional heaviness has a physical and material expression? Let’s say one regret from the past equals 2 kg of potatoes. Try to count how many of these “potato buckets” you carry with you daily (more precisely, on yourself). Sometimes we don’t even realize how much we complicate our lives, as well as the work and functionality of our body. Why does a person begin to put a heavy load on his back? Several common reasons can be identified.
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
What to look for if you notice that you have started to slouch:
1. Self-confidence. The main thing is not to lie to yourself and work well with this personality trait, because self-deception, as well as the deception of others, will surely reveal itself. The unnaturally pretentious position of the shoulders, neck and head, firstly, will look comical from the side, and secondly, it is simply impossible to maintain it for a long time.
Be honest with yourself, don’t try to fake confidence, but actually report it.
2. Personal limits. Often in practice there are two scenarios: when they are blurred, or vice versa – deliberately outlined. Depending on the scenario you live in, your posture also changes (in one case, obvious stooping, hunchback, in the other, either tension or closeness). Be sure to work on establishing contact with yourself, with your mind and body. It is this approach that will create acceptable undistorted personal boundaries.
3. Fears. When a person is afraid of something real (not irrational), physiologically the body reacts with the command “shrink, hide”. What are you really afraid of? Solve your fears and psychological clamps, because back problems will not go away, even if you play sports.
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
It’s also important to note that it’s not always about the “psychology of the body.” There may be other reasons for slouching and other problems associated with the spine: injuries, age-related changes, hereditary predisposition, etc. Therefore, before making a diagnosis on Google searches and choosing a treatment strategy, consult your doctor.
Of course, there are methods to correct the health of the back, as well as methods to get rid of slouching. We will talk about them later.
How to help yourself?
1. See a doctor
The back, like any other part of the body, is the prerogative of the doctor. Sometimes a timely consultation saves you from problems in the future. Do not delay, if something bothers you, see a doctor.
2. Find time to play sports
Of course, you should know if you have any contraindications. A visit to the gym, especially under the guidance of a rehabilitation coach, a subscription to the pool, yoga classes – all this will not only strengthen your back, but also improve your general well-being. Remember that medical restrictions or contraindications do not exempt you from doing five minutes of exercise in the morning and a nice stretch at night.
3. Analyze the psycho-emotional state
In the overeating story, for example, sweets are a means of satisfying emotional hunger. Something similar can arise in the subject of the back. Here is the severity of resentment and pathological self-doubt. An excellent solution would be personal therapy with a psychologist. It is also worth studying special literature and starting to practice meditation.
Sometimes mental problems are not so obvious, but they also need to be resolved:
What is infantilism and how to overcome it: 9 signs and 8 exercises for psychologists
Want more tips and tricks for a healthy lifestyle?
Sign up for the weekly lifestyle newsletter.
Email Subscribe
