The Power of Body Language: Understanding Its Impact and Functions
Applying Body Language to Your Daily Life
Your body language significantly impacts your daily life. Understanding this gives you greater control over your emotions and attitude. While a smile alone may not eliminate sadness or fear, it can help you start feeling better when used consistently with other non-verbal cues.
Your appearance also plays a role. When you dress up nicely, you tend to feel more confident, happy, and attractive. This simple act sends positive non-verbal signals to your brain.
Changing your body language can be challenging, but it’s not deceitful. Using non-verbal actions to build confidence and self-esteem is a powerful tool for navigating daily challenges and opportunities.
The Functions of Body Language in Communication
Definition
Body language serves various functions within communication, including:
Regulating
Body language helps regulate communication. For example, in a group, non-verbal cues indicate when someone has finished speaking and it’s another person’s turn.
Substituting
Body language can replace verbal communication. If someone talks excessively, you might use body language (e.g., glancing away, stepping away) to indicate you’re tired of the conversation.
Conflicting
When your body language contradicts your verbal communication, it’s considered conflicting. For instance, if you tell your boss her presentation was terrific but avoid eye contact, your body language conveys a different message.
Centering
Body language can emphasize, soften, or enhance your verbal communication. You might point your finger to direct attention or touch a child’s hand when disciplining them.
Complementing
Body language can support or add credibility to your words. If it’s perceived as genuine, it strengthens the overall message. However, if it’s seen as fake, it becomes conflicting.
Repeating
Body language can repeat what you’re saying verbally. For example, if you tell your child to open the door, you might also point to the door.
Body Language Myths
The Eyes of a Liar
It’s a myth that liars cannot look someone in the eyes. Research shows that pathological liars have no problem maintaining eye contact while lying. Nervousness or shyness can also cause people to avoid eye contact, even when telling the truth.
Eye Contact is Good
: Going along with the myth that liars cannot look a person in the eye, many believe that more eye contact is better. However, directing a fixated stare at another usually makes the other person uncomfortable. Eye contact that lasts a few seconds is best for showing attention and conveying sincerity. Any eye contact longer than that may be perceived by the other person as flirtation or intimidation