Updated on July 5, 2024
Do you know the importance of body language in communication? Do you know body language tricks to impress the listener? We often think of communication as being verbal; that is, performed using words. But there is another element to it: the nonverbal, the body language. Do you know what is body language? The signals and the messages that we send using our body in a conversation is called body language. Mastering your body language is the key to appearing more confident, interesting, and impressive. In other words, to become a successful communicator, you need good body language in your communication. In this post, you can learn four body language tricks that you can use to impress anyone in a conversation.
What is body language?
Body language is a type of communication in which physical behaviours, as opposed to words, are used to express or convey information. Such behaviour includes facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, touch and the use of space. Although body language is an important part of communication, most of it happens without conscious awareness. Wrong body language in communication can convey a negative message to the listener. So, it is very important to control your body language in communication with others.
4 Body Language Tricks
1. Smile – Body Language Tricks
When it comes to body language SMILE is on the top. Keep a warm and pleasant natural smile on your face that should express your confidence and enthusiasm. Avoid the resting face which is totally relaxed and shows no emotion because nobody likes it. It’s just not humanly possible to smile all the time. Don’t keep smiling artificially for long because that will make your facial muscles will grow tired, and your smile will look fake. A fake smile can actually have a negative effect on your listener. So, the solution is to smile broadly at the start of the conversation (that is when you meet someone), and at the end (when you say goodbye). But during the rest of the conversation, wear a soft smile on your face: just enough to show that you’re engaged in the discussion. This will make you appear genuine and fully present.
2. Make eye contact – Body Language Tricks
It is very important to MAKE EYE CONTACT during the conversation. You should make eye contact when you are speaking and also when you are listening. You might have heard people saying, ‘look into my eyes and speak’. That shows the confidence and truth of your words. The annoying thing is when you’re talking to somebody, and their eyes are darting all across the room. That shows he is not interested in your talk. In any conversation, your focus should be on your partner’s eyes.
But, of course, there is a problem with that. When you keep looking into someone’s eyes without looking away, it can get uncomfortable pretty quickly with a lot of tension building up the two pairs of eyes. So, here’s a simple rule for you to follow: Make eye contact and hold it for a few seconds (about seven to ten seconds). You don’t have to count in your head; just hold eye contact until you start to feel that tension. Then, blink away to the side (just a little bit), and blink back. This will release that tension. If you suddenly look away when you are looking at another person’s eye, that will be distracting. So better to blink away. While talking to someone keep eye contact for a few seconds. When you start to feel the tension building just blink away and then you blink back. Practice this until it feels natural.
3. Use good posture – Body Language Tricks
Good Posture refers to how you stand or sit, basically, how you position your body. There are three keys to good posture.
1. Keep your back straight
One of the most common mistakes many people make both in conversations and in public speaking situations is a rounded back with hunched shoulders. This signals a lack of confidence. At the same time, you don’t want to puff up your chest like you’re ready for a fight. So, imagine a piece of thread, a string going up your spine, up through the back of your head, and out from the top like you’re a puppet. What would happen if somebody pulled on the thread? Your back would straighten, and your shoulders would drop to a natural position. This is a posture that expresses strength and confidence; this is how you want to be.
2. Keep your chin level with the other person’s chin
The second key to good posture is to keep your chin level with the other person’s chin. You don’t want to be looking up at them, because that looks like you’re suspicious, and you don’t want to be looking down like you feel superior. Maintain a straight line from underneath your chin to the other person’s chin. Even if that person is taller or shorter than you, this straight line will make sure that your eyes are centered on theirs.
The final element of good posture is to Keep the center lines aligned. The centerline of your body is what indicates your point of interest. This is very important in body language. Your centerline should be aligned with that of your conversation partner. Here’s a good way to ensure that: Think of your heart. The human heart is about in the center of the chest. Imagine that your heart is shooting arrows of positivity – and you want to aim these arrows exactly at the other person. If you do this, your center line will be aligned with that of your partner. This position shows that you are fully engaged and interested in this conversation.
So, the three keys to good posture are keeping your back straight, keeping your chin level, and keeping the center lines aligned.
4. Control your hands – Body Language Tricks
Body language trick number four is to control your hands. In any natural conversation, we use our hands a lot. We make lots of gestures. This is good, and it’s natural. The problem is when you don’t have control over it. Oftentimes, when we have conversations in a foreign language like English, we might have trouble coming up with the right words or ideas, and this ups our anxiety level. And as a result of that, our heart rate speeds up, our speech rate increases, and our hand gestures get out of control. It’s as if our hands begin to speak a language of their own. What message does this send to the listener? Well, it tells the listener that you’re nervous or that you lack confidence.
Read Powerful Tips To Boost Self-Confidence
3. Keep the centre lines aligned
How to control your hands in conversation?
Make slow and controlled movements with your hands. This shows that you are in control of the situation, and that commands respect from your listener. If you find yourself getting nervous, begin to focus on your breathing and consciously slow down your movements. Avoid fidgeting, that is playing with an object, your clothing or even just with your hands.
Making controlled movements takes practice. Spend a few minutes every day just practising controlled hand gestures. Get in front of your mirror and talk about something – it could be anything. As you talk, focus on maintaining a firm posture (remember the string?). Notice your hand gestures, slow yourself down and make controlled movements. Pretty soon, you will see a big difference in your own body language.
Body Language Tricks To Impress Anyone
Watch the video to learn more about the above points with actions.
Conclusion
Hope that you liked the above body language tricks. If you practice it regularly, you, and other people will notice that you appear more confident and more impressive than ever before. Those are the four body language tricks you can use to impress anyone: Smile, make eye contact, use good posture, and control your hands. Remember that the most important thing is to practice. Learn to notice your own body language in conversations and to keep improving yourself. That is the one true path to becoming a highly successful communicator.
Recommended for further reading
- 5 Effective Ways To Overcome The Fear Of Public Speaking
- Why Speaking With Candour Is Important For Success
- Public Speaking – How To Overcome The Fear?
- Speaking Effectively | 5 Ways To Become An Expert
Kindly share this article with your friends, relatives and on social media to help them to read it.
Leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comment box below.
Read more about body language in Wikipedia
Mathukutty P. V. is the founder of Simply Life Tips, a blogger, content writer, influencer, and YouTuber passionate about learning and sharing. Guided by “Simple Living, Creative Thinking,” he believes in the power of knowledge sharing and lifelong learning.