Body awareness is something that helps us learn about ourselves. Whether you’re engaging in mindfulness meditation, dance, or observing how you relate to others, learning to express yourself using your body is powerful. A person’s body language can tell you about how they think and feel. It’s essential to be aware of your body language and others around you. For example, if you have difficulty with eye contact, you may be communicating to others that you are shy. The person on the other end of the conversation observes that you are timid, or they might think you’re uninterested in what they have to say. Body language can be complex. Here are some ways that it can help you or hurt you in everyday life.
Eye contact
One way to communicate that you’re interested in what someone has to say is to make eye contact with them. When you look somebody in the eyes, you show them that you’re engaged in the conversation. You want to hear what they’re communicating. They will probably appreciate that you took the time to look them in the eye. Some people struggle with making eye contact because it makes them nervous. People with social anxiety may have trouble looking others in the eye. Autistic people can struggle with this issue. If you have difficulty looking others in the eye, It may be helpful to disclose to somebody that you’re talking to that you struggle with eye contact, so they don’t take it personally if you don’t meet their gaze. While some individuals struggle with eye contact, others love to look people in the eye. It helps them feel connected during conversations. It depends on the individual and their preferences.
Fidgeting
When you fidget, you may appear nervous. Some individuals who have ADHD are comforted by fidgeting. They might tap their legs or tap their fingers on a table or desk. It’s not easy for a person with this condition to focus, and they might feel comforted by fidgeting. If you understand individuals with ADHD, you may not be offended by the fidgeting. However, some people might misinterpret the movements as disengagement or boredom when that’s not the case. Fidgeting is a behavior that can alleviate anxiety in some people. It helps a person feel connected to their body. If you’re concerned that your fidgeting is sending the wrong message, you could tell the person you’re speaking to the reason behind it. Whether it helps you to focus, calms your anxiety, or serves another purpose, it can help to clarify why you’re doing it.
Do they like me?
Body language is especially important when it comes to dating. You can read if a person is interested in you by how close they stand to you when you’re talking. Pay attention whether they touch your arm or hand when you’re engaged in conversation. Does the individual smile a lot when they’re around you. If you’re interested in someone, you can demonstrate that by smiling or laughing at their jokes. You can communicate a lot using facial expressions alone. Dating relies heavily on body language.
If you don’t understand a person’s body language – ask for clarity
Some people shy away when it comes to body language. Let’s say you’re with a friend at a coffee shop, and they look distracted. They’re turning away from you and watching the people in the restaurant. You may feel hurt by their body language. The fact that they’re turning away from you communicates that they’re disengaged. It’s okay to say something about this. You could say to your friend, “I notice that you’re looking around the restaurant. I came here to spend time with you. Is there a reason you’re doing that?” You’re not making any assumptions about why they’re behaving this way; you’re simply asking for clarification. Maybe you’ve had a fight with a significant other, and they roll their eyes at something you said. You could ask (instead of assuming), “why did you roll your eyes?” It gives the person the opportunity to explain their body language. You may feel angry at what they did, but it can help to understand what they’re thinking and feeling before making a judgment.
Explore body language in therapy
Certain kinds of therapy focus on body awareness. If you’re concerned that your body language isn’t communicating what you feel is accurate, you could explore these issues with a mental health professional. You can also talk about how you perceive the body language of others. Perhaps you’re struggling to show that you’re interested in someone. You feel nervous around the person and start fidgeting, twirling your hair, or biting your nails. You don’t want to engage in these behaviors, but it’s challenging to stop. You can talk about ways to show you’re interested in a potential date. A therapist knows about body language and can help you learn to express yourself in the way you want. Your body can communicate many messages to those around you. Take an opportunity to explore this subject, and you’ll be fascinated by what you learn.
