Are You Sending the Wrong Messages? Discover the Hidden Meanings in Your Body Language
Do you know you can communicate your feelings and attitudes to others without speaking?
Your body language is how you physically sit, stand, and conduct yourself.
You send messages you may not be aware of.
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Last update on 2026-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Use your body language to your benefit with these common body language cues:
- Sitting with your arms crossed. When you sit with crossed arms, you’re covering up your heart and your midsection. This posture conveys that you’re closed and will not reveal anything about yourself. Also, sitting with crossed arms portrays you’re on your guard or perhaps not all that interested in what is being expressed to you.
- Another meaning of crossing your arms during a discussion could demonstrate you’re uncomfortable with or even ashamed of your own physical appearance.
- Head cast down. When you’re looking down, it might reflect that you want to hide your emotions or that you’re timid. When your head is cast downward, you’re not making eye contact, which is integral to any good communication exchange.
- You might avoid making eye contact or looking at someone if you’re shy.
- Drooping shoulders. Drooping shoulders basically shows you’re tired or maybe even a bit bored with what is being communicated. Saggy shoulders can also signify that you’re feeling melancholy.
- Sitting forward in the chair with head lifted and looking at the communicator. Having your head up and your shoulders forward indicates you’re listening with rapt attention to what is being said. You’re showing great interest when you’re posed this way.
- Reaching out to shake hands firmly with a person you just met. When you reach out first, it shows you’re eager and glad to meet the person. A firm handshake exudes confidence and shows others you know who you are and your talents.
- Haven’t we all reached out to shake hands with someone only to take what feels like a limp fish into our hands? Make an effort to have a firm handshake when meeting new people.
- Hands on hips. Normally, standing with your hands on your hips means you’re tired of waiting for something (or someone) or feel impatient.
Breaking eye contact and looking around. When someone talks to you, are you looking around to see what’s happening?
If so, you could communicate, “I’m not interested in what you have to say,” or “I don’t think you’ve got anything important to communicate.” You could be hiding emotions or even feeling shy.
- On the other hand, in some cultures, it’s not socially accepted to look into someone’s eyes. Interpreting eye contact can be pretty tricky and is a study of human character in and of itself.
- Monkey see, monkey do. In psychology, we use “mirroring” to mimic another person’s gestures, which means you’re interested in the person. For example, if you place your hand under your chin while talking, the friend you’re talking to might do the same thing unconsciously because they’re interested in you.
- When someone mirrors your behavior, they show they want to connect with you and genuinely absorb everything you say.
- Jiggling feet. Upon talking to someone, if your lower leg or foot is being tapped or moved around, it could reveal you’re nervous, anxious, or even impatient.
- Walking with shoulders back and head held high. When you walk while standing straight with your head up, you’re walking with purpose. You know what you’re after, and you’re going for it. Striding this way demonstrates you have a sense of self-assurance.
Make an effort to notice how you’re moving and posing your body when you’re around others.
If you need to make some adjustments to portray more positive attitudes to others, use the above information to get you started.
Develop an understanding of what you’re “saying” to others through your physical conduct. Show the world the person you are!
Last update on 2026-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How to Read Body Language
Body language is one way of communication that we pay little attention to.
Oftentimes, others “hear” something from our body language that we didn’t even realize we were “saying,” and it can come back to haunt us!
Some experts say that up to half of our communication is conveyed through body language.*** That’s a lot more than most of us might imagine!
Reading body language can help you understand what someone is saying.
Conversely, body language can help you communicate your message more effectively than words alone.
What is Body Language?
Body language is a form of nonverbal communication that utilizes the body. It can be anything from a facial expression to a stance.
For instance, many people talk in an animated fashion, using their bodies to help communicate their thoughts.
Many “hand talkers” keep their hands in constant motion to help them convey information, emphasize a point, or keep a story moving along.
Body language can give off a certain attitude based simply on posture alone.
- Slumped shoulders and a rounded back with the head hanging down may indicate sadness or shyness.
- A firm walk with the chest puffed out, shoulders raised, and head held high could be interpreted as confidence or arrogance.
- When someone has his or her arms folded across the chest, this position tends to be understood as a standoffish or unfriendly stance.
It’s truly amazing how much can be perceived from body language! Not only can you use body language to judge an individual’s attitude or mood, but you can also better understand relationships between others.
These non-verbal cues can indicate* the level of bonding people have with one another.
Body language can be broken into general categories that we see repeatedly.
General Body Language Categories
- Aggressive. Aggressive body language is threatening by nature.
- Attentive. This type of body language shows that you’re engaged and interested.
- Bored. As it says, this body language is the opposite of attention and is indicated by yawns, lack of eye contact, or other visual listening cues.
- Closed. This one shuts you off from others. Arms crossed and standing far away are two common signals of closed language.
- Deceptive. Deceptive body language is often used when someone tries to get away with a lie. It can be easily distinguished by nervous behavior brought on by guilt and worry.
- Defensive. This body language tends to be present when someone is protective of information or their inner thoughts.
- Dominant. Those who like to be in command use dominant body language. Dominant people tend to stand tall with their chests puffed out.
- Emotional. This one is heavily influenced by feelings at any given moment and constantly changes with mood.
- Evaluation. Evaluating body language is used when deciding or hesitating to make a judgment.
- Greeting. This type of body language is used when first contacting people.
- Open. Open body language is welcoming and very friendly in nature.
- On the Ready. This type of body language lets people know you’re prepared and willing.
- Relaxed and content. Relaxed body language is seen when people are restful, happy, and calm.
- Passionate. Romantic body language is flirty and expresses attraction for another.
- Submissive. This one shows your relenting side.
These are the most common ideas communicated through a stance or combination of poses or posture. Many body positions can have different meanings* depending on the person, the situation, or the culture.
In the United States, for example, it’s polite to look into another person’s eyes intermittently to show you’re listening to them. In Japan, it’s considered rude.
While it’s commonplace for Americans to smile at one another as a show of friendliness, in Korea, smiles are indicators of embarrassment and aren’t shared in public.
When traveling abroad, it is best to follow the Romans’ example, that is, the practices of the culture you’re visiting, to communicate your ideas appropriately.
It’s important to be more aware of what your body says when you talk to others!
These body language tips will strengthen your comprehension and communication skills, paving the way for more effective interactions.
