Yes, bad posture can contribute to anxiety. Poor posture can lead to altered breathing patterns, which may trigger the body’s stress response, increasing anxiety levels. Specifically, shallow breathing caused by bad posture can activate the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for the body’s fight-or-flight response, thereby increasing anxiety and even leading to panic attacks in severe cases.
Prolonged poor posture can result in a state known as Sympathetic Dominance, where the body’s stress response system is overly active, further contributing to anxiety. Studies also show a correlation between poor posture and increased feelings of depression and anxiety, suggesting that the way we hold our bodies can significantly impact our mental health.
