This New York Times Well-Blog highlights the importance of posture from many dimensions. Research in embodied cognition shows the mind body connection goes both ways; that our posture can validate negative thoughts or emotions or remedy them. Postures that make our bodies feel smaller like slouching, head down or shoulders forward positions can escalate negative thoughts and emotions while postures that open the chest help us feel empowered. Since many of us spend a lot of time on the computer, texting, doing desk work or reading in a flexed forward pose, reversing this by anterior chest stretches and back strengthening postures/exercises not only improves spine health but also mental health.
Source:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/12/28/posture-affects-standing-and-not-just-the-physical-kind/
