Understand the body language of emotions

Develop your emotional awareness by learning what body language cues are associated with which emotions. And identify your own style.

Armah 3 years ago 1

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A Quick Guide

Body language plays a significant role in communicating the emotional experience of a person. A grip over reading body language/non-verbal cues can help you identify the intentions and emotions of others. For example, facial expressions, vocal tone, posture, etc.

To develop your emotional awareness, you need to be aware of what emotions are associated with particular body language cues.

Start by noticing your own body language associated with your feelings. Gradually, extend this observation to other people. Try to guess their emotions by observing their body language particularly the posture, facial expression, tone of voice etc.

Identify emotions and associated body language

A few prominent emotions have certain telltale signs indicated by the associated body language.

1. Identifying Anger

Try to recall what an angry person looks and behaves like. You may have observed bulging eyes, flushed face, pursed lips, snarling mouth, bared teeth, and possibly clenched fists. Such a person may stare intensely at the other person and even lean forward and invade others’ personal space. Behaviorally, he may show violence such as pushing, kicking, punching, slapping, etc. Furthermore, he may yell, scream or speak in a loud tone.

At the same time, another person may speak in an intense and low tone to communicate anger. So, don’t forget to include the context and overall style of a person while trying to interpret anger. Since some people may show these signs in an exaggerated form. Whereas, others are more subtle.

2. Identifying fear or anxiety

When someone is nervous or afraid, they may have tense muscles, a fidgety body, a shaky vocal tone, and a pale complexion. They may sweat a lot and not be able to maintain eye contact. Their heart rate is high and their mouth is dry. If someone is defensive, they may even cross their arms or legs.

3. Identifying sadness

Sadness or low mood often brings low energy. You may observe a lowered gaze, teary eyes, trembling lips, and drooping body posture. Such a person speaks in a low tone and has a turned-down mouth.

4. Identifying surprise or shock

When a person is shocked, their eyes widen and their mouth opens. Usually, their body suddenly makes a backward motion. In some cases, such a person may freeze and pause to process the shocking information.

5. Identifying happiness

Happiness brings pleasant facial expressions and body language. Such a person may smile a lot with their eyes and mouth. The body is relaxed and they have an open posture including open arms, legs, and hands. They are able to maintain eye contact. Some people express happiness in a calm manner. Whereas others express more excitement and move a lot.

6. Identifying embarrassment

Embarrassment or shame is often evident when a person becomes flushed in the face. They are unable to make direct eye contact and look away or down. Some people may give a false smile to hide their embarrassment or even play with their hair. They try to avoid certain topics of conversation to prevent being shamed further.

In in all of the above, it is important to reiterate the idea that these are not fixed signs. Different people express their emotions differently. Everyone has a particular style. So, keep that in mind while making sense of other’s emotions. Also, notice the context and situation.

Understand your body language of emotions

Try to understand your own style of expressing different emotions and note your body language & behavior in a journal. For example, while being angry you may,