Are You Sending the Wrong Signals? Discover How Body Language Can Change Your Life

 
Have you ever heard that it’s not what you say that counts but how you say it?

Although the words we choose for conversations with peers and friends are important, how we present ourselves during those discussions is also crucial.
 
Up to 93% of human communication is non-verbal, but many people don’t know how to use body language correctly.
 
Learning how to stand, where to hold your hands, and what to do during a conversation can seriously impact how people respond to you.
 
Getting body language right during the first few minutes of meeting someone is particularly important, as people tend to make the biggest assumptions about each other.
 
So, how can you send the right message with body language?

Last update on 2026-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

 
Try these techniques:
 
Learn your power poses.

Power posing makes a difference, even if it makes you feel slightly silly initially.


According to research, a couple of minutes of “power posing,” which means standing tall and holding your arms outwards towards the sky or with your hands on your hips, can increase your confidence.


The next time you’re prepping for an important conversation, try taking a minute or two to explore your options with power poses. You can even watch videos on YouTube to help you.

Combine your power pose with the right outfit, and you’ll gain more confidence. This will help you sell just about anything, including yourself.
 
Maintain your energy. Energy is important when making the right impression with body language. If you’re slumped down, dragging your feet, or looking to the floor, you won’t have much impact.

On the other hand, if you imagine you’re about to go out and give an inspiring speech to a group of people, you can turn your energy up a notch.


Increase your energy and enthusiasm by 20% or more in your next meeting. If you feel like you’re being overly enthusiastic, ask a friend to interact with you and see what they think.


The more energy you exude in a positive manner, the more you’ll attract those around you.
 
Smile. Positivity is key when it comes to mastering body language. Most of us don’t notice how often we have a sour expression on our faces.

However, grimacing and frowning significantly reduce your chances of connecting with someone else on an emotional level.


Frowning also signals to your brain that you’re doing something difficult, increasing your stress levels and prompting nervousness and discomfort.


When you smile, you push yourself to relax and encourage the people you connect with to relax.
 
Mirror others. Although you shouldn’t go into a conversation with a plan to copy everything that someone else does, mirroring can be a great technique for improving your chances of a good first impression.


When someone nods or scratches their nose, doing the same (though not too frequently) can help you develop a deeper connection with that person.


Try to be subtle when mirroring someone else, as doing too much can look slightly off.


If you’re not comfortable replicating what someone else does all the time, fill in the gaps between mirroring moments with an open and easy posture. Your arms should be by your sides, not crossed, and your palms open.
 
Talk with your hands. This tip relates to the tip above about bringing more energy into your conversations.

Adding more hand motions to your words and even using props to make your point can instantly make you seem more interesting and animated.

Professional and passionate people tend to talk more frequently with their hands, and this can make them more engaging.

The right gestures add a lot to the words you say, but it’s important for them to feel natural and organic.

If you’re not used to speaking with your hands, you might want to practice before you use this tactic around others.

Get the Message Right

Remember, body language is an important part of getting your message across.

Everything you do, from your smile to the amount of eye contact you use, will impact how others feel about you and what you have to say.

However, this doesn’t mean you should ignore the words that you’re using.

Think carefully about your words and connect a well-thought-out message to effective body language to have a fantastic impact.

Last update on 2026-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Top 10 Strategies for Making Your Body Language Work for You

Do you ever wonder why you don’t get the respect you deserve?

Do others often ignore you?

Your body language might be sending out the wrong signals.

You must understand what you’re doing with your body to alter your body language. Set up a video camera and record yourself interacting with others if possible. What you see might shock you.

Movie stars are excellent role models for body language. A good actor can convey a lot of information without even speaking.

Enhance your body language and your communication skills with these tips:

1. Make yourself big. Don’t be afraid to take up a little space, whether sitting or standing. Spread your arms and legs slightly. Insecure people tend to do the opposite and attempt to appear small. Show that you’re confident enough to claim the space around you without apology.
   
   
2. Sit and stand up straight. Your mom told you to stop slouching, and she was right. Sit like a professional in an office setting. Be proper but relaxed.
   
   
3. Establish good eye contact. This can be tricky. Too much eye contact can seem a little creepy. Too little comes off as submissive. Strive for 70-80% eye contact. Avoid appearing distracted when you look away from the other person’s eyes.
   
   
4. Mirror the other person. Within reason, mirror the other person’s stance and mannerisms. If you do it too precisely, they’ll think you’re crazy. Keep it mild, but adopt a similar style. Mirroring is a common Neuro-Linguistic Programming technique. You can find plenty of additional information online.
   
   
5. Keep your body open. Avoid crossing your arms and legs. Stay open to the other person. There’s no reason to protect yourself. Show that you’re relaxed. Turn and face people directly. When your feet and body are pointed in another direction, it shows disinterest and a desire to flee the scene.
   
   
6. Provide feedback while others are speaking. This means nodding, saying “mhm”, or occasionally providing other feedback. It lets the other person know you’re fully engaged and paying attention. Avoid overdoing it. Remember that you’re supposed to be listening.
   
   
7. Keep your hands away from your face. It’s distracting when someone touches their face during a conversation. Hands are dirty. Avoid putting them near your face.
   
   
8. Avoid fidgeting. When you fidget, you seem nervous and uncomfortable. Shaking your foot and tapping your fingers is also distracting to others. Have smooth, slow, infrequent movements. Try to mimic James Bond. He wouldn’t be squirming in his seat or picking at his face.
   
   
9. Avoid looking down. There’s nothing down there of interest. You look evasive and bashful when you lower your head. Keep your head high, and others will respect you more. You’ll feel better about yourself, too.
   
   
10. Maintain an appropriate distance. It’s odd when someone stands too close or too far away during a conversation. This is often a cultural issue, too. Find an appropriate distance for the situation. You can stand closer to some people than to others.

It’s not challenging to change your body language. However, it can take time for the changes to appear natural to others.

Your body language is largely habitual.

It won’t change by itself. Adopt a new technique each week and practice each day. You’ll notice that people are treating you differently in just a few weeks.

Until your new mannerisms become a habit, you must be diligent in your intentions.

Much of the communication is non-verbal. Ensure that you’re communicating with maximum effect.