5 Tips for Understanding Ubiquitous Body Language and How It Will Help You

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People don’t communicate just with words body language can help. While talking to someone, your body is giving away a wealth of information. Information can be beneficial if you know how to decode and use it. Researchers say up to 55% of communication is conducted through body language alone. But beware because body language goes both ways; your body sends signals, too. Understanding body language can be critical in certain professions and situations.

Whether it’s an argument or a friendly game of poker, body language can help you get the edge. So here are some tips on decoding body language and using it to your advantage. And if, after reading this article, you want to put your new knowledge to the test, why not try free online poker with free spins and no download where you can find all about where to play poker online and even get access to free pokies? One more tip: if you want the following in a poker game, find an online casino with live table games. That’ll do the trick.

Crossed Arms And Legs Signal The Person Disagrees With You

If a person has crossed their arms and legs (or either of them), it may signal their opposition to what you are saying or doing. This behavior suggests the person is emotionally, psychologically, and physically closed off. It’s especially telling because, most of the time, it’s not a conscious behavior.

By understanding that the person with crossed arms is not receptive to your words, you can modify your behavior or speech until you find the right way to express your ideas. Conversely, consider what you want to accomplish if you have crossed arms or legs. If you want to appear open and understanding but relaxed and in control, try to catch yourself and uncross your arms and legs.

How To Tell A Real Smile From A Forced One

There is an old saying: “You know when someone genuinely smiles, even over the phone. “ If you follow your intuition, tackling this part of human interaction is not hard.

If we’re talking about smiles, the mouth can lie, and the eyes cannot. Genuine and honest smiles crinkle the eyes and create the telling “crow’s feet” looking skin around them. So if you want to know if a smile is genuine, look into the eyes. Many people may try to use fake smiling to get out of conversations or affect a poker face that hides how they genuinely feel. Of course, this can also benefit you, but be aware that people may call your bluff if they notice your eyes aren’t smiling.

If Someone Copies Your Body Language, That’s A Good Thing

Mirroring body language is something we do when we feel connected to someone. It’s a sign we are receptive to the other person’s ideas. If you’ve ever been in a meeting or conversation where a person seems to mimic your body language, uncrossing and crossing their arms and legs when you do so, this is a signal they agree with you.

You can also use this technique to appear as if you agree with someone. But its greatest strength is discerning whether or not your ideas are being accepted or are going to go over like a lead balloon. People performing or speaking often talk about “reading the room.” This is one of the methods they use.

Posture Tells A Lot

You must have seen it at least once, a person walks into a room, and you immediately know they’re in charge. Good managers and bosses know how to use posture to project power and calmness. Standing up straight, with your shoulders back, is called a “power position”; it maximizes the space you fill. Human brains are hard-wired to associate freedom with power.

The more space you take up, the more powerful you appear. Conversely, if you slouch, you’ll appear less robust. Knowing when to use power poses and when to appear less powerful is critical for negotiation situations. It may even help your poker game if you remember not to slouch when you get a bad hand.

Handshakes Matter

Handshakes are a ubiquitous greeting in the western world. Nothing leaves a better impression than a firm handshake. Nothing leaves a worse impression than a limp, “dead fish” handshake. As with many things in life, moderation is key. You want to be firm and calm, not crush the other person’s hand. Even if you struggle with confidence, try to practice a good handshake. Not only will it leave a good impression, but it will also leave you feeling more confident.

Final Thoughts

Body language matters, so try out and practice these tips. Knowing them will help you in your work, everyday life, and even in a game like poker. Body language is the only thing that can betray humans as it is the only part they cannot fully control. Tied to emotions, it can easily show details of us that we don’t want, so if we don’t make efforts to control them, we will be like an open book for others.