How Entrepreneurs Improve Their Posture & Beat Zoom Gloom
We’re living in a time when we’re spending so much time on our computers, dialed into these Zoom calls, connecting with people more digitally than we ever have before, which means not connecting in person as much as we have in the past.
One of the things that can happen when we spend so much time in front of our computer and on Zoom calls is our posture can start to change. We don’t always hold this nice, straight frame when we’re on a Zoom call, especially when we’re on the 45th minute of an hour long Zoom call - or even a two-hour Zoom call - and we’re interacting with others.
What we often do is we start to hunch our shoulders down a little bit, and we start to tense in our neck, and our shoulders come up and become our earrings, and we start to get shorter and smaller and closer to the screen as we almost give the device a hug in the moment, instead of holding ourselves with this posture. That’s fine for a moment, but what can start to happen is that we start to build up tension in our body. We’re not in a natural position where we would be comfortable, especially over long periods of time. We find ourselves sitting in our chair instead of getting up and moving, and that tension starts to build up in our arms, legs, back and neck - even our face and in our facial expressions.
Often times, our mind and our body can read that tension as something that it isn’t. Or it might actually be tension related to anxiety in the moment because of an intense conversation. But over time, in these conversations on Zoom, that tension can start to build up and build up, and our mind can read that tension in the body as something to be anxious about, something to be worried about. Then we start to have anxious thought and worry, and that can lead to even more tension in the body when it starts to respond to that and we might find ourselves clenching our fists or sitting in an even more uncomfortable and tense position.
So, I challenge you to use movement to try and break out of this common cycle that we find ourselves doing on Zoom calls and when we’re on our computers from time to time without even thinking about it.
The challenge is this:
Try and find a moment in a Zoom call this week where you can step away from being on screen. You’re probably listening anyways, so you’re probably on mute, but in this moment, put yourself on video mute as well, so that nobody can see what you’re doing. Then stand up and step away from the screen, and take a couple of paces around the room that you’re in. Free yourself from that seat and that focus on the screen and move around. Take a couple of steps in one direction, then take a couple of deep breaths, in and out, and then a couple of steps in the other direction.
For bonus points, and if you want a little extra inspiration, use the yoga tool in the Founders First app. We’ve created an incredible “yoga for entrepreneurs” series, and it’s only about 8 minutes long. It’ll give you a bunch of ideas for things to do in this minute or two when you step away from the screen and continue to participate in the Zoom call on video mute, but just give yourself a little bit of movement.
Use movement. Be inspired by the yoga tool in the app. Try to do this two different times, during two different Zoom calls over the week ahead. The hope here is that it will deliver a little bit of refreshment and relaxation, and a little bit less tension in your week.
The yoga tool is one of many tools available in the Founders First mindstate tracking app for entrepreneurs. See all the tools and get personalized recommendations on how to best invest your time each day based on your current mindstate by trying the app free for 7 days.
Join the Community
Founders First is a set of evaluation tools that will improve your business by strengthening its most critical asset: You.
Are You An Entrepreneur Struggling with the Personal Impacts of Stress?
Let us show you a revolutionary program that’s transforming the lives of entrepreneurs just like you.
Join the Community
Founders First is a set of evaluation tools that will improve your business by strengthening its most critical asset: You.
Founders Forum is a live show where we talk about mental health in entrepreneurship and how to build resilience to stay stronger, happier, and be more successful.
