Body language is the art of talking nonverbally through body movements and gestures. Positive body language can be defined as these nonverbal communication and gestures that are talking through interest, enthusiasm, and positive reactions to what someone else is saying.
The way you communicate with your body is significant because research show that 60% to 90% of our communication is nonverbal.
To many, body language is considered the most important aspect of communication as it sends signals to how we are truly feeling.
In general, body language is controlled by programming of our subconscious mind and is not always in accordance with what we are saying.
Perceptive individuals will be able to pick up on the differences between what you are saying with your words and what your body is saying with its movements and deduce how you really feel.
To make sure you are conveying your thoughts and opinions how you want, practice your body language so that your movements match your words.
Here are 12 powerful tips to help you keep a positive body language or positive body image.
#1. How Our Smile Affects Our Body Language.
It’s hard to crack a smile when things are going wrong. But a 2003 study by Simone Schnall and David Laird showed that if you fake a smile, you can actually trick your brain into thinking you’re happy by releasing feel-good hormones called endorphins.
This might seem a little wacky at first. If smiling for no reason feels too strange, then find a reason to smile.
You could smile at the prospect of your smile itself making someone else feel happier. They might smile back at you, giving you a genuine reason to keep your smile alive.
So smile a lot even when you don't feel like.........because once you start smiling your subconscious will start processing new emotions and new neural pathways to make the habit of smiling an automatic process in the long run which will eventually allow you to have a positive body language.
#2. How Your Thoughts And Feelings Affect Our Body Language.
Our entire body and physiology can affect our thoughts and feelings. By changing our outer state, we can change our inner state.
It may also surprise you to learn that the vast majority of messages that we give other people are non-verbal, such as facial expressions, gestures or even the way we hold ourselves while we’re talking.
For this reason, it’s important that we try to think about the messages we’re conveying with our body language.
If I told you to show me how someone would appear if they were depressed, you’d probably know exactly how to portray them: you’d slump with your head down, looking grim.
If I asked you to show me how someone would appear if they were angry, you could do that with ease, too
#3. Body Language of a Happy Person.
Now think about how a person who is happy and feels high on life would appear.
What would their facial expression be like? How would they be standing? Is there a particular way they’d be moving? Where might their hands be?
Are they likely to be making any gestures? What tone would their voice take? How fast or slow would they be talking?
If you can act like someone who feels good, your internal state will change and your vibration will rise.
Don't Miss: 11 Proven Techniques On How to Change Yourself For The Better
Don't Miss: 16 Smart Tips To Handle Your Resistance To Change
#4. Fake It Till You Make It.
You might be concerned that this is an unhealthy way to raise your vibration. But the idea that you can ‘fake it ’til you make it’ has been proven many times.
For example, Muhammad Ali famously said, ‘To be a great champion, you must believe you are the best.
If you’re not, pretend you are.’ Take Ali’s fight with Sonny Liston: before the fight Ali was an underdog, but he chose to act like he was going to whop Liston – boasting and bragging about it to fans – and, in the fight, he did.
Social psychologist Amy Cuddy is renowned for her work on how body language not only affects how others see us, but also how we see ourselves.
A report co-authored by Cuddy claims that simply by doing one of three poses related to power for only two minutes a day, you can create a 20 percent increase in the confidence hormone testosterone and a 25 percent decrease in the stress hormone, cortisol.
#5. Posture For a Positive Body Language.
Keep a relaxed posture whether you are sitting or standing. Keep your back straight but not stiff and let those shoulders relax.
This will reinforce the idea that you feel comfortable with your surroundings.
#6. Handshake.
The handshake is one of the most important nonverbal communication cues because it can set the mood for the entire conversation.
A firm handshake will give you instant credibility while a weak handshake will make you appear fragile.
Take care not to crush the other person’s hand though. Giving someone a death grip will signal to them that you are a bully or overcompensating for something.
#7. Affirmative Movements.
You can show empathy with simple actions of agreement like nodding your head or smiling.
These actions let people know that you are on their side and that you can identify with their plight. You can even use laughter when appropriate.
#8. Use Mirroring For a Positive Body Image.
Empathy and mirroring go hand in hand. The more you understand someone’s body language, the easier it is to mimic similar behaviors and gestures. At its simplest, mirroring is to copy someone else’s gestures and expressions to empathize with them.
However, don’t copy every single detail. For example, if someone doesn’t want to make any physical contact, avoid offering a handshake. Mirroring helps build rapport and acts as an effective ice-breaker.
Don't Miss: How To Be Willing To Change Your Life in 8 Scientific Steps
Don't Miss: How To Believe in Yourself – 15 Important Things You Need To Know
#9. Always Be Present.
If you want to show others that you value their time and thoughts, try to avoid distractions and be present. You may nod or smile occasionally if you agree with what they have to share.
Continue to maintain eye contact and show them that you’ve been listening attentively.
You may respond verbally when you feel that it’s appropriate to speak. Even if you’re in a meeting, put your phone on silent and take notes if needed.
#10. Observe Your Hand Movements.
Be careful about touching your face or neck; both indicate that you feel anxious, nervous, or afraid. In general, confident people don't tend to make these types of movements.
However, making a steeple with your hands or holding your palms out can imply confidence
#11. Speak Slowly and Clearly.
Feeling nervous can often lead to rushing through our talking points and comments to end a conversation sooner. But speaking quickly can make your nervousness and self-consciousness evident.
#12. Slow Your Movements.
Fast movements make you appear more anxious. Everything from hand gestures to your walking stride can make a difference; slow down and notice how you feel more confident when you take your time.
The key, however, is to maintain other signals like eye gaze and posture while moving more slowly.
Slow movements combined with poor eye contact and slouched posture can indicate sadness, which may cause people to see you as less confident than you are.
