Body Language is the most important form of non-verbal communication, because facial expressions, gestures and postures are, for the most part, direct expressions of our feelings.

However, this is because most of these signals are sent unconsciously; that is, when we experience any emotion, such as joy, fear, anger, or sadness, it is almost impossible to suppress it.

Body language, therefore, includes all conscious and unconscious body signals that provide information about a person's emotional state or intentions. To learn more about what body language means, read on!

Conscious and unconscious body language

Sighing in impatience, rolling your eyes in nervousness, getting in a bad mood are all actions that betray our feelings, even if they last only a fraction of a second. Just as these non-verbal signals are sent unconsciously, they are also read unconsciously.

For this reason, there are people we don't like or who appreciate us without us having said anything in particular. Also, body language is received while we concentrate on what is being said or wander with our mind. We will see details later.

Body language

Body language influences how a person is perceived and how his or her words are received. Think about photos or videos of famous speeches: they show how it is not only the content of a speech, but also the dynamics with which it is presented that contribute to its effectiveness.

In this way, among other things, body language makes the audience understand the importance of the topic for the speaker. It is therefore a decisive criterion for his credibility. But even in the private or direct professional environment, people are judged by how their body language fits in with what is being said.

For this reason, we must be careful in the conscious use and interpretation of body language. That is, in intercultural exchanges, because not all signs have the same meaning all over the world.

Body Language explained with examples

We have seen that body language and reading its signals play a very important role in everyday communication. As such, it is characterized by a person's facial expressions, gestures, postures and movements. The following examples demonstrate how even the smallest signs betray our feelings.

Mimica

Mimicry includes all the emotions that can be read on a person's face. One of the most important mimicry signals is the smile, which allows open communication. It can signal friendliness, understanding, and joie de vivre, making it the perfect signal at the beginning of a conversation.

Moreover, emotions are conveyed by the eyes and only amplified by the mouth and facial features. A look can be interested, absent, loving, hateful, doubtful, curious or shy. In general, all these emotions can be recognized in a split second. Let's look at some body language gestures:

• Surprise: the eyes are wide open and the eyebrows are raised.
• Anger: narrowed eyes, eyebrows drawn together, and frowning forehead.
• Doubt: the gaze is focused, but the eyes are restless because the listener is wondering whether to believe what is being said. Depending on the attitude toward the words heard, the eyebrows may rise in astonishment or approach in anger.
• Fear: even in case of fear the eyes are open; at the same time, the pupils are enlarged to be able to see as much detail of the threat as possible.

Gestures

Brain researchers have discovered that the areas of the brain responsible for memory processing are close to each other, and that thinking and articulation go hand in hand at all times.

This also explains why so many people gesture while talking, even when they are on the phone and no one can see them. In this case, gestures serve to order thought, to make references, and to remember.

So these are unconscious processes that must be distinguished from the directed gestures of trained speakers, politicians or actors. Then there are the gestures we learn throughout our lives that serve to underline our linguistic expressions, which are:

• Welcome: open arms leading to a hug or a hand raised from afar in greeting, a sign of joy at a person's arrival;
• Anger: a closed fisted hand indicates an attempt to control oneself. If it is raised, it is perceived as a threat of violence;
• Impotence / uncertainty: when we don't know what to do in a situation, we express this by shrugging our shoulders.

These are just a few examples that show how gestures are used in everyday life to convey certain messages, so this type of body language is read and used by all people in a cultural environment.

Posture and Movement

Posture provides clear indications of a person's emotional state. This is why it is said that happy people seem to float in the air, while sad people, with stooped shoulders and bowed heads, drag more than walk.

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Moreover, even a person's security can be inferred from the posture. When a boss rushes into the office with his chin up, chest puffed out, and stride wide, it is clear that he is aware of his role and recognizes himself as a leader.

On the other hand, hasty and nervous movements, such as touching clothes or hair, or the quick wiggling of the feet when sitting on the edge of a chair, signal insecurity. In this way, they give the impression of wanting to escape from the situation in which they find themselves.

Movement

The last examples cited show that posture and body movement are difficult to separate in practice. A certain posture requires a certain type of movement. A person with an upright and proud posture is unlikely to walk in small steps. While it is difficult for a bent over person with a flaccid posture to walk down the street in quick strides.

In addition, there are certain movements that convey direct messages. One of them, for example, is the crossing of a certain distance between two people. Whether and when it can be unpleasant depends a lot on the interlocutor.

In short, between strangers, a certain physical distance is a sign of respect. If someone gets too close, it can be seen as threatening or degrading. However, it is the crossing of a boundary that, in rare cases, provokes a positive reaction.

Final considerations

Now that we have explained the various types of body language with examples, it is important not to get carried away by emotions and to always be aware of appropriate and helpful signals. Then you can use your body language in a targeted way to your advantage.

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