Body language by definition is a kind of communication without the use of words. It may be any action or expression of the body which a person gives meaning to. These cues are not always delivered intentionally and more often than not, not seen or misinterpreted. Essentially, non-verbal cues are elusive, complex and comes with several channels. Knowledge of deciphering body language can be applied in many ways – like when determining what your teacher thinks of your report or whether your boss approves of your presentation. There are many instances where body language can play a huge role. In some cases, the sender of the cues may not be totally aware of the message, so as the receivers. For instance, a person may not be aware that his pupil dilates when feeling thrilled. On the other hand, a receiver may not also be cognizant that the pupils dilate along with the feeling of excitement. That is how body language works in almost all cases.
Generally, there are two kinds of emotions: positive and negative. Now, your goal is to identify whether the person you are conversing is comfortable or not. Here are some you should check out: Positive Cues: - Leaning towards you - Limbs uncrossed and relaxed - Established eye contact - Authentic, warm smile - Looking away due to shyness. Negative Cues: - Leaning away from your direction - Crossed legs/arms - Rubbing body parts like the eyes, nose etc. - Feet in the direction away from you - Looking from side to side.
The Face. The face could tell so much – a single expression can mean a thing and so much more. So, you should be observed facial expressions and the emotions behind it carefully. Spotting emotions like joy, sadness, anger and fear are quite easy as there seems to be a universal form of expression to express such from all over the world. Other common emotions to observe through the face include the following: confusion, desire, thrill, disdain and surprise among others.
The eyes could reveal so much on how a person thinks and feel. So, you should practice looking at the person’s eyes when in a conversation and notice a few things like the following: Manner of Blinking: Well, blinking is innate. But you should pay attention to the way a person blinks. For instance, people with rapid blinking may be feeling bumpy or in pain. If a person blinks less than the ordinary, he may be concentrating or trying to conceal something like feelings of excitement or anything else. The Gaze: A person who constantly look away or breaks eye contact may be uncomfortable or hiding something. On the other hand, a person that stares for too long can make you feel threatened. A person that looks direct in the eyes may mean he is focusing his attention or is interested.
Pupil Dilation: The pupil size has something to do with the way a person feels. Dilated pupil means the person is excited or interested.