{"id":22934,"date":"2022-02-28T00:01:35","date_gmt":"2022-02-28T08:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edelalon.com\/blog\/?p=22934"},"modified":"2022-02-27T16:21:11","modified_gmt":"2022-02-28T00:21:11","slug":"types-of-body-language-what-they-say-about-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edelalon.com\/blog\/types-of-body-language-what-they-say-about-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of Body Language & What They Say About You"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is it about some people that can walk into any room and \u201cown\u201d it? You\u2019ve probably seen them before: men and women with commanding presences that radiate confidence and poise, regardless of the setting.<\/span><\/p>\n

The answer is not that these people are more physically attractive or that they have\u00a0<\/span>more money or status<\/span><\/a>. It turns out that 70 to 90% of our communications with other people are non-verbal, meaning that body language — from your facial expressions to your body movement — reveals a lot more about you than what you choose to say (or not) with your words.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A truly universal language<\/span><\/h2>\n

Forget English, Mandarin, and even music: body language is the real universal language spoken by every person in the world, regardless of their age, gender, culture, or physical condition. It\u2019s sometimes called nonverbal communication because, just like verbal communication, it is a means of transmitting information to other people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The main difference, though, is that body language allows you to convey your thoughts, feelings, or ideas through physical gestures, like eye contact, facial expressions, posture, hand gestures, and more. Verbal communication, on the other hand, involves the use of words, sounds, and intonation to share information with others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another key difference is that body language, unlike verbal communication, can be unconscious and spontaneous. In other words, many of your nonverbal cues are involuntary and can give away what you\u2019re thinking or feeling and even undermine your credibility and intentions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Body language<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is a complex reflex linked with a number of other processes in the brain. Facial expressions are processed in the amygdala and specific visual areas of the brain. Other areas, like the extrastriate body area (EBA) and the ace fusiform body areas (FBA), also seem to activate in response to emotional body language signaling emotions like happiness, anger, and disgust.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although some nonverbal cues cannot be controlled, you can actually improve your body language and use it to present a more positive image of yourself. Using body language properly can help you appear more confident and approachable and allows you to build stronger connections with others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of body language and what they say about you<\/span><\/h2>\n

Being aware of your nonverbal cues is an excellent way of ensuring that your body language works for you, not against you. But paying attention to how others \u201ctalk\u201d with their bodies is also a powerful tool that can help you navigate social and professional situations with ease. Here are the 5 most common subtle and not-so-subtle types of body language that people use and what they mean.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eye contact and movements<\/span><\/h3>\n

Eye contact is crucial for both verbal and nonverbal communication. Not for nothing, folks have been calling the eyes the \u201cwindows to the soul\u201d for ages. Good eye contact shows people you\u2019re welcoming and interested in what they are saying. And it also makes people more likely to believe and remember what you said long after the conversation has ended. On the other hand, a lack of eye contact could signify shyness, anxiety, or untrustworthiness.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s also some evidence that eye movements — as in the speed, direction, and blink rate — also carry a lot of meaning. For example, eyes that dart from side to side might signal that the person is uncomfortable and is unconsciously looking for an escape route. Winking is a common, cheeky form of flirting. And closing your eyes while talking, which is called \u201ceye blocking,\u201d could be interpreted as a sign of lying, reluctance, or disagreement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mouth expressions<\/span><\/h3>\n

Mouth expressions can be incredibly telling, but they can also be tough to decode. For example, chewing your lower lip could be a sign of hesitation, anxiousness, or guilt. But many people also use it to appear flirtatious or sexy. Covering your mouth or smile with your hand is sometimes interpreted as shyness or insecurity, or that you\u2019re trying to hide something. However, covering your mouth while laughing is seen as a standard, polite gesture in many cultures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laughing and smiling are considered universal signals of happiness. But in reality, humans use smiles in a variety of ways to convey all sorts of emotions. Here are a few of the most common smiles:<\/span><\/p>\n