7 Terrible Body Language Habits That Everyone Needs To Kick
Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... read full bio
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Sometimes our bodies give away more than what we think we’re giving away. Body language is an essential part of communication. Body language can say a lot about a person’s feelings as well as their personality. This might just help you make a good impression on someone and get the job of your dreams. Or, it could drive someone away and they might think you are arrogant or have attitude issues. So here is a list of body language mistakes you might be making and how it can affect those around you:
1. Slouching
The way you sit and stand can say a lot about your confidence levels. If you’re the type who likes to shrink back into yourself, or you tend to slouch a lot it could show others that you lack self-confidence and are easily swayed by what others around you say. If you don’t fix your posture while you’re young, you might face even bigger issues as you grow older. While having sedentary lifestyles can take a toll on your posture, it is important to take a walk every now and then or stretch and look away from the computer screen.
2. Crossing Your Arms And Legs
Crossing our arms and legs is something we tend to do subconsciously, but crossing your arms and legs while in conversation with someone can often signal a sense of hostility. It makes you come across as defensive and not open to interaction. It could also signal that you’re not comfortable in somebody’s presence and this can lead them to feel like they can’t be honest with you. If you make sure your feet are uncrossed and your hands visible, you will appear to be more trustworthy in front of the person you’re conversing with.
3. Fidgeting
Fidgeting is usually a sign of nervousness. Whether you’re in a business meeting and you’re in the habit of twirling your hair, tapping your toes or even if you’re presenting on stage and keep fidgeting with your fingers. To the people around you, you could come across as bored or disinterested in your surroundings.
4. Biting Your Nails
Another habit that shows a sign of extreme nervousness is nail-biting. While it might help you relieve the stress you are undergoing it will also signal to those around you that you are anxious and underconfident. Besides this, it’s not very pleasant to look at! Rather than impressing someone, you will end up repulsing them and causing them to judge your hygiene habits.
5. Rolling Your Eyes
There is nothing more infuriating in the world than the person you’re arguing with rolling their eyes. It is one of the most disrespectful things you can do to a person’s face and don’t be surprised if the person snaps at you or simply walks away from the conversation after you pull this stunt. When in the workplace, rolling your eyes at colleagues or seniors will cause them to think of you as extremely unprofessional and they might feel offended by your actions.
6. Being Easily Distracted
Sure, this isn’t a nasty habit but it can cause those around you to be easily irritated. You might not even mean it offensively, but to those around you, this can come across as you being bored and disinterested in what they’re speaking about. Often people don’t even realize they’re doing it and thus don’t realize they’re causing pain to someone else. Make sure you’re actively listening to what the person is saying or do something that makes them see that you respect them enough to be engaged in the conversation.
7. Not Smiling At All
Smiling at someone is a crucial way to show confidence and openness in both formal and informal situations. Along with a firm handshake, it’s the best way to make a good first impression on someone. It can make people respond to you more positively and be more open and trusting towards you in general. At the same time, you must ensure that you’re not fake-smiling. Even if you’re the type of person who tends to keep a neutral face and have to force yourself to smile. Most people can tell if someone is fake smiling very easily and it makes you come across as fake, insincere and untrustworthy. A stiff looking face can make someone come across as unapproachable and cold.
Sure, not everyone on the planet is body language experts but most people have a gut instinct and will be able to tell if someone is being insincere. Have you ever made any of the mistakes stated above? Have you managed to correct them as you’ve grown older? Let us know in the comments below.
