What Does Your Body Language Say About You? How To Read Signs and Recognize Gestures

As we all know, communication is essential in society. Advancements in technology have transformed the way that we correspond with others in the modern world. We live in an era when launching apps, using an online QR code generator for immediate information, following turn-by-turn map navigation on our phones, and microblogging with tweets and instant photos have become the norm. Because of the constant buzz in our technological world, it's easy to forget how important communicating face-to-face is. When conversing old-school style, it's not only speech we verbalize that matters, but what our nonverbal gestures articulate as well.

Body language is truly a language of its own. We all have quirks and habits that are uniquely our own. What does your body language say about you? And what can you learn about others by becoming aware of what some of the signs mean?

I thought it would be fun to list some of the well-known signs that body language experts study and recognize. It is said that when talking to a person the information that we receive can be broken down as:

• 10% from what the person actually says
• 40% from the tone and speed of voice
• 50% is from their body language.

• Lowering one's head can signal a lack of confidence. If someone lowers their head when complimented, they may be shy or timid

•  Touching or tugging at one's ear can indicate indecisiveness

• Sincere smiles encompass the whole face (noticeable in the eyes)

• A false smile usually only engages the lips

• Tilting one's head can symbolize interest in something or someone

• Overly tilted heads can be a sign of sympathy

• Closing of eyes or pinching at the bridge of one's nose is often done when making a negative evaluation

• When a listener nods, this is usually a positive message and relays that they are interested and paying attention

• However, excessive nodding can imply that the listener has lost interest but doesn't want to be rude

• Touching/rubbing one's nose may indicate doubtfulness or rejection of an idea

• Sticking out one's chin toward another may show defiance

• Resting a hand on one's cheek is often done if they are thinking or pondering; and stroking the chin can mean the person is trying to make a decision

• Pushing back one's shoulders can demonstrate power and courage

• Open arms means one is comfortable with being approached and willing to talk/communicate

• Folded arms show that there is a sort of barricade between them and other people (or their surroundings) and indicate dissatisfaction

• Resting one's arms behind their neck shows that they are open to what is being discussed and interested in listening more

• Pointing one's finger can be construed as aggression or assertiveness

• Touching the front of the neck can show that someone is interested and concerned about what another is saying

• Hand movements that are upward & outward signify positive and open messages

• Palms that are faced outwards towards another indicate one's wish to stop and not approach

• If one's fingers are interlaced or if the finger tips are pressed together, it usually shows that a person is thinking and evaluating

• If offering ideas to other people, many times the sides of one's palms are close together, with fingers extended

• Putting your hands on your hips can show eagerness and readiness (also, at times, aggression)

• Hips pushed forward, while leaning back can show that one feels powerful (also can be a suggestive gesture)

• A wide stance - where one's feet are positioned far apart - signifies more power and dominance

• When one sits with legs open and part, they might feel secure in their surroundings

• Crossed legs can mean several things: relaxed/comfortable, or defensive - depending on how tense the leg muscles are

• When you cross your legs towards another person, you are showing more interest in them than when they are crossed away in the other direction

• A confident and powerful position is the "Figure of Four Cross" when one's ankle is atop the other leg's knee and the top leg is pointed sideways

• Bouncing your foot if your legs are crossed can show that you are bored or losing patience

• The lowering of the eyes can convey fear, guilt or submission

• Lowered eyebrows and squinted eyes illustrate an attempt at understanding what is being said or going on

• A lack of confidence or apprehensiveness can be displayed when you don't look another person in the eyes

• One tends to blink more often if nervous or trying to evaluate someone else

• If you look directly into another person's eyes you are displaying self-assurance

• Wide eyes show more of an interest in a subject or person

• If you are irritated with a comment made by another during a conversation, a common movement is to take a quick glance sideways

• Staring at someone can be an aggressive gesture or suggest that the one staring feels dominant

• Recalling a memory is usually done by looking up and to the right

• Looking directly upwards can indicate that one is thinking

• Eye contact is normally broken if someone feels insulted by another 

Source:  http://www.jinxiboo.com/blog/2009/12/15/what-does-your-body-language-say-about-you-how-to-read-signs.html

25 Acts of Body Language to Avoid

 

Our body language exhibits far more information about how we feel than it is possible to articulate verbally. 

All of the physical gestures we make are subconsciously interpreted by others. 

This can work for or against us depending on the kind of body language we use. 

Some gestures project a very positive message, while others do nothing but set a negative tone.

Most people are totally oblivious to their own body language, so the discipline of controlling these gestures can be quite challenging. 

Most of them are reflexive in nature, automatically matching up to what our minds are thinking at any given moment. 

Nevertheless, with the right information and a little practice, we can train ourselves to overcome most of our negative body language habits.

Practice avoiding these 25 negative gestures:

“ I speak two languages, Body and English. ” — Mae West

1. Holding Objects in Front of Your Body – a coffee cup, notebook, hand bag, etc. 
   
   Holding objects in front of your body indicates shyness and resistance, such that you’re hiding behind the objects in an effort to separate yourself from others. 
   
   Instead of carrying objects in front of you, carry them at your side whenever possible.
2. Checking the Time or Inspecting Your Fingernails – a strong sign of boredom. 
   
   Never glance at the time when you’re speaking with someone. 
   
   Likewise, completely avoid the act of inspecting your fingernails.
3. Picking Lint Off of Your Clothes – If you pick lint off of your clothes during a conversation, especially in conjunction with looking downwards, most people will assume that you disapprove of their ideas and/or feel uneasy about giving them an honest opinion.  Leave the lint alone!
4. Stroking Your Chin While Looking at Someone – “I’m judging you!”  People frequently stroke their chin during the decision-making process.
   
   If you look at someone while you’re stroking your chin, they may assume that you’re making a judgmental decision about them.
5. Narrowing Your Eyes – If you want to give someone the impression that you don’t like them (or their ideas), narrow your eyes while looking at them.  It immediately places a scowling expression on your face. 
   
   A slight narrowing of the eyes is an instinctual, universal expression of anger across various species in the animal kingdom (think about the angry expressions of tigers, dogs, etc.). 
   
   Some people make the mistake of narrowing their eyes during a conversation as a reflex of thinking.  Don’t send people the wrong message… don’t narrow your eyes.
6. Standing Too Close – This just makes people feel uncomfortable. 
   
   Most people consider the 4 square feet of space immediately surrounding their body to be personal space.
   
   Cross this invisible boundary with good friends and intimate mates only.
7. Looking Down While in the Presence of Others – usually indicates disinterest.  Sometimes it’s even interpreted as a casual sign of arrogance. 
   
   Always look straight ahead and make eye contact when you see someone you know.
8. Touching Your Face During a Conversation – Face touching, especially on the nose, is commonly interpreted as an indication of deception. 
   
   Also, covering up the mouth is a common gesture people make when they’re lying. 
   
   Always keep your hands away from your face when you’re speaking.
9. Faking a Smile – another sign of deception commonly seen on the face of a fraud. 
   
   A genuine smile wrinkles the corners of the eyes and changes the expression of the entire face. 
   
   Fake smiles only involve the mouth and lips. 
   
   It’s easy to distinguish between the two.
   
   Don’t force yourself to smile… unless it’s for the camera.
10. Leaning Away From Someone You Like – a sign of being bored and disinterested. 
    
    Some people may also interpret it to mean: “I don’t like you.” 
    
    People typically lean towards people they like and away from people they dislike. 
    
    This is especially true when they are sitting around a table. 
    
    If you lean away from someone you like, you’re sending them the wrong message.
11. Resting Hands Behind the Head or on the Hips – usually interpreted as a sign of superiority or bigheadedness. 
    
    Only use these gestures when you’re in the presence of close friends.
12. Not Directly Facing the Person You’re Speaking To – This indicates a certain level of discomfort or a lack of interest. 
    
    When we’re happily engaged in a conversation we face the person we’re speaking to with our feet and torso facing directly forward. 
    
    When we’re unsure of the other person, or not completely committed to the conversation, we tend to angle our feet and torso to the side. 
    
    Face directly forward during a conversation to give off the impression that you’re truly interested in what the other person is saying.
13. Crossing Your Arms – a sign of defensive resistance. 
    
    Some people may also interpret it as a sign of egotism. 
    
    Always try to keep your arms open and at your sides.
14. Displaying a Sluggish Posture – When you’re in an environment bustling with people your posture becomes an immediate telltale sign of your confidence and composure. 
    
    Your stance literally makes a stand for you, delivering a clear message about how you should be treated. 
    
    It can make a huge difference in the way strangers respond to you. 
    
    Place your feet a comfortable distance apart, keep your shoulders pulled back, head up and greet people with direct eye contact and a firm handshake.
15. Scratching at the Backside of Your Head and Neck – a typical sign of doubt and uncertainty.  It can also be interpreted as an indication of lying.
    
    Try to keep your hands away from your head when you’re communicating with others.
16. Messing With the Collar of Your Shirt – It screams: “I feel horribly uncomfortable and/or nervous!”  Once again, keep track of your hands.  Don’t fidget.
17. Increasing Your Rate of Blinking – a clear sign of anxiety.  Some people start blinking their eyes really fast (in conjunction with an increased heart rate) when they get nervous.
    
    Since most people try to make eye contact, it becomes immediately obvious to others.
    
    Be cognizant of your blinking habits when you’re nervous, especially if someone is looking at you from a close proximity.
18. Slouching Your Shoulders – indicates low self-esteem.  People associate perked-up shoulders with strong self-confidence. 
    
    Always pull your shoulders back. 
    
    Not only will you look more confident, you’ll feel more confident as well.
19. Standing with Your Hands Crossed Over Your Genitals – This casual posture almost guarantees that you’ll lose a little respect before you even have the chance to speak a single word. 
    
    People feeling nervous or unsure of themselves will unconsciously take a guarded stance.
    
    Quite frequently they adopt a posture that guards one of their most vulnerable areas, their genitals. 
    
    This stance pushes your shoulders forward and makes your entire body look smaller and weaker. 
    
    Again, try to keep your hands at your sides and your shoulders back.
20. Propping Up Your Head with Your Hands – “I’m getting bored!”  Never prop up your head with your elbows and hands during a conversation. 
    
    Place your hands on the table in front of you and keep them at rest.
21. Wiping Sweaty Hands onto Your Clothes – a sign of frantic nervousness.  If your hands are sweating, just let them sweat.  Take a few deep breaths and try to relax.
22. Sitting on the Edge of Your Chair – a clear indication of being mentally and physically uncomfortable.
    
    It’s an apprehensive stance that will make others around you feel uncomfortable as well. 
    
    Keep your rear end firmly planted on the surface of the seat. 
    
    When you lean forward, use your back without moving your bottom.
23. Foot and Finger Tapping – usually indicates stress, impatience or boredom.  Monitor your habits and practice keeping your limbs at rest.
24. Using Your Hands to Fidget with Small Objects – a pen, paper ball, etc.  This is another sign of anxiety.  It can also be interpreted as a lack of preparedness.  It’s always best to keep your hands comfortably at rest when you’re in the presence of others.
25. Repeatedly Shifting Body Weight from Foot to Foot – This is another gesture that usually indicates mental and physical discomfort.
    
    People may also see this and assume that you’re ready to abandon the conversation, especially if you’re not directly facing them.
    
    Don’t shift your feet around more than once every 2 to 3 minutes.

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Source: http://www.marcandangel.com

The Importance Of Reading

It is a well-known fact that when there were no televisions or computers, reading was a primary leisure activity. People would spend hours reading books and travel to lands far away-in their minds. The only tragedy is that, with time, people have lost their skill and passion to read. There are many other exciting and thrilling options available, aside from books. And that is a shame because reading offers a productive approach to improving vocabulary and word power. It is advisable to indulge in at least half an hour of reading a day to keep abreast of the various styles of writing and new vocabulary.

It is observed that children and teenagers who love reading have comparatively higher IQs. They are more creative and do better in school and college. It is recommended that parents to inculcate the importance of reading to their children in the early years. Reading is said to significantly help in developing vocabulary, and reading aloud helps to build a strong emotional bond between parents and children. The children who start reading from an early age are observed to have good language skills, and they grasp the variances in phonics much better.

Reading helps in mental development and is known to stimulate the muscles of the eyes. Reading is an activity that involves greater levels of concentration and adds to the conversational skills of the reader. It is an indulgence that enhances the knowledge acquired, consistently. The habit of reading also helps readers to decipher new words and phrases that they come across in everyday conversations. The habit can become a healthy addiction and adds to the information available on various topics. It helps us to stay in-touch with contemporary writers as well as those from the days of yore and makes us sensitive to global issues.

Reading provides detailed information on Reading, Home Reading, Reading Glasses, Reading Comprehension and more. Reading is affiliated with Educational Games.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-Of-Reading&id=354498