Mom Was Right: Stop Slouching

In addition to being less than attractive— shoulders hunched in, tummy extended—slumping can actually make you more sensitive to pain.

That’s the conclusion of a recent study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

When you sit or stand up straight, push your chest out and expand your body, you feel powerful; you’re in control and can handle more pain. But shriveling up makes you feel submissive, which in turn makes you more anxious and more likely to anticipate discomfort. The same may be true for emotional pain, say the researchers, so stand tall when you need to face an unpleasant situation.