How Body Language Helps You Communicate

How you move your body can influence how people react to you. You don’t need to perform cartwheels to let everyone know that you are feeling happy. There are small changes in your body and your facial expressions that can tell the world what you are feeling. In some instances, what comes out of your mouth and what you communicate through your body language may be two totally different things. And this is why we need to be sure that what we communicate with our bodies matches what we are saying with our words.

What Is Body Language?

Body language can help you to pick up on other clues about a conversation and how a person is feeling. Whether you’re aware of it or not, when you interact with others, you are continuously giving and receiving wordless signals. There are many nonverbal behaviors, such as the gestures you make, your posture, your tone of voice and how much eye contact you make all send strong messages.

They can put people at ease, build trust and draw others towards you. Or they can offend, confuse and undermine what you’re trying to convey, especially if your words don’t match your actions. These messages don’t stop when you stop speaking either. Even when you’re silent, you’re still communicating nonverbally.

The many different types of nonverbal communication or body language. Some of these include:

• Facial expressions: Our face is extremely expressive and is able to convey countless emotions without saying a word. Unlike some forms of nonverbal communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear and disgust are the same across cultures around the world.
• Body movement and posture: Your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit, walk, stand or hold their heads. The way you move and carry yourself communicates a lot of information. This type of nonverbal communication includes your posture, bearing, stance and the subtle movements you make.
• Gestures: The gestures we make are part of our daily lives. You may wave, point, beckon or use your hands when arguing or speaking animatedly, often expressing yourself with gestures without thinking. However, the meaning of some gestures can be very different across cultures. While the Ok sign made with the hand, for example, usually conveys a positive message in English-speaking countries, it’s considered offensive in countries such as Germany, Russia and Brazil.
• Eye contact: Eye contact is an especially important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can communicate many things, including interest, affection, hostility and attraction. Eye contact is also important in maintaining the flow of conversation and gauging the other person’s interest and response.
• Touch: We communicate a great deal through touch. There are many different messages that can be given by the way that we touch someone. Examples can include a weak handshake, a warm bear hug, a patronizing pat on the head or a controlling grip on the arm.
• Space: Have you ever felt uncomfortable during a conversation because the other person was standing too close and invading your space? Nobody likes it when their personal space bubble is invaded without permission. We all have a need for physical space, although that need differs depending on the culture, the situation and the closeness of the relationship. You can use physical space to communicate many different nonverbal messages, including signals of intimacy and affection or aggression and dominance.

If you would like to know more about how communication affects our day-to-day life and how you can improve yours, contact us. To learn more about Physicians Hearing Center and the services that we offer, call us today at (334) 441-4090.