Body language

Updated : July  5 , 2019

 “A species’ survival depends critically upon its ability to communicate effectively, and the quality of its social life is determined in large measure by how and what it can communicate.”

~Robert M. Krauss 

Listen to a person When they look at you .

Body language or non verbal communication :

Communication is not only what you say or hear . Your eye gaze, hand movements, sitting and standing styles, facial expressions all these things include in communication. And this communication is known as Body language or non verbal communication. 

Non-verbal communication includes :

facial expressions, the tone and pitch of the voice, and gestures displayed through body language.

What body language reveals :

 It can often tell people exactly how you feel, even if you have hardly said a word. Body language is the unspoken element of communication. Body language isn’t always as clear as spoken language , But it reveal  a lot about people .It reveals our true feelings and emotions.  .Understanding  about body language can help to interpret unspoken issues. The things we don’t say still convey volumes of information. 

Body language reveals unspoken truths. 

Communication through body language :

Some estimates suggest that 7 percent we communicate through words and 93 percent nonverbally or through our body language .

But some studies says that body language may account for between 50 percent to 70 percent of all communication. 

Different studies show different results, but whatever they show , it is truth that body language reveal more abut people than verbal language. 

Facial expressions :

Facial expressions are among the most universal forms of body language. The expressions used to convey fear, anger, sadness, and happiness are similar throughout the world.

Learn  to read eyes because lips often lie. 

Postures: 

Posture can convey a wealth of information about how a person is feeling as well as hints about personality characteristics, such as whether a person is confident, open, or submissive.

People tend to have much less conscious control over their nonverbal messages than of what they actually saying .Because nonverbal communication is  much more emotional in nature .

Body language reveal more than words.

Non-verbal communication may also be both conscious and unconscious. Facial expressions are particularly hard to control, because we cannot see ourselves to know what we are doing. We may, therefore complicate communication by trying to convey one message consciously, while in fact conveying quite another unconsciously.

Michael Argyle identifies 

Five main functions of non-verbal communication:

•  To express emotions, 
• Communicate interpersonal relationships
• Support verbal interaction
• Reflect personality 
•  Perform rituals, such as greetings and goodbyes.

How to enhance verbal and non verbal communication :

 Verbal communication is enhanced when a person is an effective listener. Listening doesn’t simply mean hearing; it means  understanding another person’s point of view.

Watching other people’s body language, facial expressions and intonations, and being conscious of your own physicality and feelings can enhance non-verbal communication.

Copy the people you are spending time with and you want to attract them, this strategy is called mirroring .When talking to someone try to copy their facial expressions , gestures and body language.

Maintain eye contact with those who you want to attract. Follow 80/20 rule while talking to someone.  It means ,maintain 80 percent eye contact and 20 percent you can see your surroundings.

Carry a decent smile  . It improves your face value.

Make sure your body language is open ,(No close arms, or cross feet) it indicates that you are relaxed, calm, and confident .

However , the same gesture can indicate a number of different things depending on context.

Our success as an individuals depends upon our ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and non-verbally.

Thanks for reading! 

Source :

1:https://www.livestrong.com/article/150573-what-is-verbal-communication/

2:https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/nonverbal-communication.html

3:https://www.verywellmind.com/understand-body-language-and-facial-expressions-4147228