Nonverbal communication is so powerful among people. And even without words, our bodies tell stories of what we think and feel. Understanding read body language really is a skill that can help you better comprehend others, build relationships, and simply communicate. This skill works at work, in your home and during social situations.
What Is Body Language?
Body language is arguably the manner in which people communicate nonverbally. It involves gestures, posture, facial expressions, eye movements and hand movements. For one, a person can cross their arms if they are uncomfortable, or can smile and lean in if they are happy or interested.
You get more into what someone really feels by reading body language. More often than not, words may be used to mask emotions however the message given off by their body can sometimes tell a different one. By paying attention to them, you can respond with more empathy and understanding.
Why You Should Educate Yourself In Body Language
There are benefits to learning body language:
- Improved communication: You get to know what people really feel, not just what they say.
- Deeper relationships: You observe feelings of trust, interest or discomfort.
- Career success: When in meetings or negotiations, you can read your colleagues, clients and managers.
- Self-interrogation: You get control over your own body signals and look calmer and more confident.
When you can read body language, you minimize misunderstandings and make a better connection with people.
Read Facial Expressions
Of all the places on people’s bodies one can read emotions, the face is probably the most telling. Smiles, frowns and raised eyebrows — even lip movements — deliver cues. A genuine smile raises the cheeks and causes little lines around the eyes. Most of the time, a fake smile is only mouth deep.
Keep an eye out for subtle but rapid changes on a person’s face. Even then, a flicker of anger, fear or surprisewill manifest before a person can cover it. Recognizing these small shifts will help you to get the feelings under words that have been left behind.
Eye Contact Matters
The eyes are the windows to your interest, confidence, and truthfulness. Steady eye contact typically demonstrates attention and confidence. Breaking away from eye contact can signal uneasiness, agitation or lying.
Maintain eye contact: Too much feels aggressive; too little can seem overly casual. Balance is key. Note how long someone stares at you, when they look away and the general sensation of their gaze. Eyes can say more than words can.
Posture Shows Mood
How we stand or sit reveals much of how we’re feeling. Facing them with shoulders in a relaxed but straight posture shows confidence and ease. Hunched shoulders or crossed arms can show that someone is bothered, feels insecure or is on the defensive.
5) They take up space, and are easy moving Confident people take up space in the world, they’re not condensing down. When we’re uncomfortable, we might collapse inwardly, move backward or pull away. You notice posture, that kind of thing — a person’s mood and how safe and comfortable they are with you.
Pay Attention to Hand Gestures
Palms are a powerful communicative medium. Palms open express honesty and openness. Fidgeting hands suggest nervousness. Jabbing an index finger or gripping a fist can indicate anger, control issues.
Notice if gestures match words. When they do, the message is clear. If they do, the body may be revealing what the person truly believes. Those thoughts are often flashed in hands before people speak.
Understand Personal Space
Everyone has a comfort zone. Get too close and they’ll feel intruded upon, but stepping back can indicate a need for space or insecurity. All that said everyone´s perception of personal space is influenced by their culture and the context does matter. Personal space allows for comfortable conversations and promotes trust.
Read the Whole Picture
You should never interpret from one signal. Mix facial expressions, gestures, stance and vocal intonation. Consider the circumstances and the individual’s typical behavior.
For instance, crossed arms may signal cold weather, not anger. It could be that an introvert is keeping their eyes away, but this doesn’t mean they’re lying. Search for trends of behavior, rather than single actions.
Improve Your Own Body Language
There’s an additional bonus: learning to read body language also improves your communication. Stand up and smile — naturally, let your body language be open. They’re signals that you appear confident, friendly and trustworthy.
“See how fans react to your body language. Little shifts — small nods, a little eye contact — can make conversations feel better and go more smoothly. Practicing makes your body language to flow more natural and effective.
Practice Everyday
Body Language Learning can make something a bit better every day.’ Just watch people in meetings, or social situations, or even out in public. Observe interviews or speeches on TV to get a sense of how gestures and expressions also convey meaning. With time, you’ll recognize patterns and respond to signals more quickly.
Be patient. Learning to read body language takes time and practice. The more you watch and learn, the better you are able to understand others.
Final Thoughts
Reading body languages well, you are reading emotionality and motivations. You know people better, you communicate better and you build better connections. But by paying attention to the quiet cues, you enhance your relationships and cut down on misunderstandings. Begin to notice today, and allow body language to help lead you in the right direction for better communication and understanding.