Body language tells you more than what is said verbally. These include postures, facial expressions and more. Is this person lying? Does this person feel comfortable? How does someone really feel? You can read it all from his/her body language!
The non-verbal tells you more
We use body language to express ourselves better. This happens unconsciously, but it is very important. Body language actually tells you more than verbal communication. Once you understand body language you can almost certainly tell how this person really feels.
Different forms of expression
Some examples
- Posture: standing upright with chin up, closed sitting position, walking briskly.
- Touches: shaking hands, patting the back, kissing on the cheek.
- Gestures: be quiet, point with the finger, hold a thumb up.
- Distance: Sitting close to someone, leaving space between you and the other person.
- Facial expressions: frowning, laughing, wide-eyed.
Reading facial expressions
Anger is considered a negative emotion. But it’s actually not that. When someone is angry, it is an expression of displeasure and sometimes even hostility. When you are angry, your blood pressure and adrenaline levels rise. Anger ranges from mild irritation to rage. Characteristics of anger:
- Furrowed brow, eyebrows drawn down, face turning red, nostrils widening.
Fear is the emotion you feel when you are afraid. It is a negative emotion that makes you restless and tense. Unfortunately, certain fears can take on pathological forms, this is called a phobia. Phobic fears exist about just about everything: situations, materials, environments, etc. Characteristics of anxiety:
- Eyes wide, your skin turning pale, wrinkles in the middle of your forehead, eyebrows raised.
Happiness is a positive emotion. You feel happy and joyful, this is a pleasant feeling. Your body relaxes, you laugh more, your blood pressure rises and you exercise more actively. Feeling cheerful contributes to good health. Characteristics of happiness:
- You laugh a lot, your nose curls up, eyebrows slightly raised, the skin next to your eyes wrinkles.
Sadness is a less pleasant emotion. You feel hurt or disappointed. You want to withdraw and cry. Grief is also about loss. Crying also makes you feel relieved afterwards. Sometimes the sadness of others can also make you sad if you are sensitive to it. Characteristics of sadness:
- Eyes and eyebrows drooping, moist eyes, the corners of your mouth are down, a furrowed brow.
Disgust is a negative emotion. Disgust is an emotion you express when you find something disgusting. This can range from reluctance to disgust. It’s about tastes, smells, seeing things you can’t stand. Characteristics of disgust:
- Squinted eyes, nose turned up, the corners of your mouth go down, your cheeks go up.
Being surprised depends on the situation you find yourself in. Something can happen to you suddenly, but you can also be surprised when something unexpected happens. Therein lies the difference between a pleasant surprise and an unpleasant surprise. Characteristics of surprise:
- Your eyebrows raise, your eyes widen, your mouth opens, your forehead wrinkles horizontally.
Reading an attitude
A posture says a lot about you. It is important towards others, because everyone judges you. Whether you sit upright or slump, bend toward someone or pull away. A depressed person will slump, shoulders slumped, and make little eye contact. If someone who is depressed consciously adjusts his/her posture, he/she will also feel better. While a lively, confident person walks straight with shoulders back and chest forward. They often walk with their chin up and walk more vigorously. If your whole body is turned towards someone, you appear much more attentive and open. This attitude also gets you interested. And that’s how it works and vice versa. If you mirror someone’s attitude, it means that you like him/her. This also works the other way around! If another person mirrors your attitude, it means that he/she likes you too. We adapt our attitude to others unless we are alone. Then we are usually just relaxed.
Some poses
- Closed posture: this is an insecure posture. For example: crossed arms or legs.
- Open attitude: ,accept, everything around you. For example: standing with your hands behind your back.
- Exclusionary attitude: isolating yourself or not involving anyone. For example: turning away from someone.
- Inclusive attitude: involving yourself or someone else. For example: turning towards someone.
- To turn: to be interested. For example: turning your body towards others/leaning towards others.
- To turn away: not to be interested. For example: turning your body away from others, turning away from others.
- Symmetrical posture: your body is in the same position everywhere, you show respect. For example: sitting upright.
- Asymmetrical posture: your body is not in the same position everywhere, you feel relaxed. For example: hanging down on a table.
Fun facts
How do you know he likes you?
- His feet point towards you when you stand/sit near him.
- If he leans toward you and doesn’t pull away when your bodies come together.
- He looks at you and quickly looks away when you see him staring.
- His pupils dilate when you talk to him.
- His shoulders are towards you when you talk.
General fun facts
- You can catch a person who is lying if they look to the left after telling the lie.
- Someone who stands with his hands on his hips is not in a good mood.
- If someone looks down, this person is unsure of themselves or sad.
- If someone looks up, this person has self-confidence and is sure of themselves.
- Someone who gives 3 pats with the flat of his hand on someone else’s back wants to indicate power.
- A firm handshake indicates a dominant personality, even if his/her hand is on top.