Body Language Articles

Body language is nonverbal communication, where movements and facial expressions convey feelings and emotions. There is a notable absence of words in this form of expression, yet people can express many feelings by solely using their body to “speak.” Eye contact or lack thereof is an example of how a person may be feeling at a given moment. People reveal their emotions through their posture, movements, and facial expressions.

Here you will find articles about how body language can help us understand human behavior. Learn about the ways we can better pick up on how a person is thinking is feeling and be more sensitive to those emotional states. Learn how your body language makes people feel and the ways you can show people your emotions so they can empathize.

Body Language

Human beings express themselves in a multitude of ways, one of which is verbal speech. Another way that human beings commonly communicate themselves is through body language. You can often tell what someone is thinking or feeling based on their body language. Think about eye contact - if someone is looking into your eyes, it is likely that they are listening to you or trying to understand what you are saying. If someone is on the Autism spectrum, however, they might have difficulty making eye contact. It doesn't mean that they aren’t listening to you. It merely says that eye contact is a challenge for them. The same can also be true for those who live with ADHD. They may get distracted, and their eyes may become fixated on something else, but they are listening to what you are saying.

“Are you lying to me?”

Though everyone’s body language is a little bit different, it can give you insight into how a person feels. If someone is lying, for example, you might be able to tell by observing their body language. Detectives and police officers often use techniques to figure out if a person is telling the truth or not. Let’s go back to eye contact - usually, when a person lies, they may look away and fail to look into your eyes. If someone shifts their eyes after being asked a question, they are probably lying. Here's where it is important to note if a person does have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) or ADHD. If they do, looking away may not mean that they are lying to you. It could just be a typical symptom that they experience on a regular basis.

How body language helps people understand each other

If you are interested in someone romantically, you likely want to express it to them so that you can develop a connection with them. One way to tell if a person “likes you like that” is to notice if they touch you. Sometimes, a person who has a crush on you will express it through touch by putting their hand on your arm or leg. Once you feel that warm touch, you get the cue that they like you. What can you do in return? You can reciprocate their action by touching their hand, which may lead to you holding hands with each other. Paying attention to body language is an integral part of developing relationships with others.

Anxiety and body language

Anxiety can be a severe mental health issue to understand if you have not experienced it yourself. Picking up on a person's body language can help you to understand their symptoms. For example, if you are in a crowded area and you notice that your friend is tense, shaking, or that they appear to be agitated, that body language indicates that they are getting anxious. So, what can you do as their friend? One thing that can be helpful is to turn to your friend and say “How are you feeling right now?” If the person is about to have a panic attack (or if they are already having one), they may not be able to answer your question, but their answer or their body language will let you know if something is not right. Then, you can take the opportunity to get them a glass of water or direct them to a quiet area. Asking what a person needs, rather than assuming, is crucial in this situation.

Learning body language in different people

If a person has their arms crossed and they are scowling, what do you think that means? Likely, it says that they are angry or frustrated. Sometimes, when a person is angry, they need space. If you push a person when they are agitated or angry, they may explode on you. Observing their body language can help you prevent this from happening. If you notice that a person is angry or entering a state of rage, know that you do not need to argue or discuss the matter that is upsetting them right away. You can take a break from the conversation or leave the area and take a walk to give them a chance to simmer down. Body language can also tell you if a person is sad or depressed. If you appear lethargic or are laying down in your bed a lot, others may pick up on this and see that you are slipping into a depression. It’s important to take care of your mental state and picking up on your actions can be helpful in the pursuit of figuring out how you feel or what you need.

Online counseling

Seeing an online counselor can help you to understand what you're experiencing. When you work with a therapist, you can learn about how your actions impact others. When you meet with your counselor during a video chat, they will be able to pick up on your body language. Body language is a great medium to use to express what you are feeling to them. If you’re doing gestalt therapy, your therapist may lead you to practice mindfulness meditations. This method of treatment helps you to experience body awareness. There are many things that you can learn through being in touch with your physical body, and there is indeed a mind-body connection that we can utilize to improve our mental health. Online counseling is a great way to help you learn more about yourself and develop your mind-body connection. Consider searching through BetterHelp’s online database to find a licensed mental health professional that will suit your individual needs.