What Does Your Body Language Say About You
1. Taking Stock
To really begin to work on improving body language, it is important to understand others’ perception. Try taking some time in front of a mirror and go through the motions as if you were speaking to others. Mental notes should be taken of posture, hand movements, eye movements, the expression conveyed on the face, and general stance.
2. A Warm Smile is Infectious
The obvious place to start is with a smile. Smiling inherently helps to lighten the mood of the person doing the smiling as well as those that come into contact with them. People remember those that make them smile and laugh. A positive mood and smiling face can be quite infectious. It can even wear off on the person doing the smiling if they were in a negative mood to begin with.
3. Eye Contact Projects Confidence and Strength
The eyes of people tell many stories. They may depict strength, weakness, calm, anger, sorry, or great joy. There is an old saying that the “Eyes are the window of the soul” because they expose so much of a person’s intent. Improving eye contact with a person being spoken to helps reinforce strength and self-confidence. if you are uncomfortable making direct eye contact at first, you can work on it by looking at the skin just below the eyes or the eyebrows of the person you are speaking to. It is not necessary to stare but to use natural breaks in the conversation to make or avert eye contact.
4.Stand or Sit Tall and Proud
Posture and hand position are two important parts of body language. Slouching over gives the impression that a person is weary and lethargic. Crossing arms over the chest or shoving the hands in pockets is seen as a defensive mechanism designed to keep people away. The same effect occurs with holding something against the chest. The speaker is subconsciously putting something between them and the person being spoken to serve as a barrier. Keep hands or any carried objects at the side unless being used in expressive talking.
Good posture entails keeping the length of the spine fairly straight. The spine continues all the way up to the base of the skull. Too many people keep their back straight and then slouch their neck. The right posture will invoke confidence and alertness out of the person looking on that individual, whether sitting or standing.
5.The Intangible Benefits of Strong Body Language
A good many people find it difficult to attempt to “fake” their way through things. Some do not want to smile unless they are genuinely happy or they may find making eye contact to be a difficulty. Improving body language is not about being deceitful to the people looking at you. It is about conveying that which is offered and not allowing people to subconsciously draw unfair conclusions.
It is not easy to reverse years and years of poor body language habits, but it can be done. The benefits more than make up for it by providing better interaction, communication, and relationships with friends, spouses, coworkers, or clients.
