Here’s the secret to increasing your concentration, cranking your confidence and looking super pretty: standing up straight. It’s simple, really. Good posture is key to being the best you, inside and out. So if you find yourself slouching in school or at home on the computer, read on to learn how you can improve your posture.

Ever notice how if you slouch for a while, it actually hurts? That’s your body telling you to straighten out: Good posture should feel natural and effortless. When you sit down in class, sit as if you are being held up by strings, with your back against the chair. Make sure your shoulders are back, that your bottom is in the innermost part of the chair, and that the rest of your body feels relaxed, not tensed.

You might notice that the more you do this in school, the more alert you’ll feel. This will help your focus and listening ability, and eventually, it’ll help score you better grades! Good posture can also get you brownie points with your teachers. They’ll notice how engaged you seem and will appreciate having such an attentive student.

Good posture means standing up straight, too, so don’t forget about your stance when you’re walking. Stand with your back straight, just as when you’re sitting. It’s also important to keep your weight balanced evenly on both sides of your body. If you find yourself balancing your weight on one side when you’re flirting with a cutie by your locker, fix it right away! It might seem natural to stand like that, but studies have shown that standing tall will instantly improve your mood and confidence levels, which means guys will be more likely to notice you!

If you’ve spent a lot of time slouching, it can be hard to improve your posture. The best thing you can do is nag yourself until it comes naturally. Good posture is an image boost that your body will love, so stand up straight, girlie, and get ready to take on the world!