Body language is a very important messaging. When we use positive body language, we are essentially sending out a message to the world that we are confident and in control and this can have a number of benefits, both in our personal and professional life. For one, others will be more likely to view us as someone worth listening to and engaging with. Additionally, using confident body language can help us to manage stress and anxiety better, as well as increase our overall sense of wellbeing.
On the other hand, a lack of confidence in one’s body language may diminish credibility and drastically reduce the ability to be effective.In terms of one’s professional life, displaying confidence through one’s body language can help win over clients, bosses and colleagues. It can also increase one’s chances of getting a promotion or other opportunities. And in one’s personal life, using confident body language can make one more attractive to potential partners and help strengthen relationships with friends and family members.
So, how do you go about using positive body language to feel confident? It is as simple as paying attention to your posture. Stand up straight with your head held high. If you’re sitting, do so with good posture. Another important aspect of confident body language is making eye contact when speaking with others. This shows that you’re interested in what they have to say and helps build trust between you. Additionally, try smiling more often—this simple act can make all the difference in how others perceive you.
Soulveda shares the top 5 body language hacks to feel confident in daily life.
Watch your posture
Body language is a powerful tool that you can use to boost your confidence and make a good impression. One way to do this is by using power poses. Power poses are standing or sitting postures that take up space and make you look and feel more powerful.
Some examples of power poses include standing with your hands on your hips, sitting with your legs crossed and your arms open, or leaning back in your chair – these poses make you feel more confident and assertive and in turn, conveys the same message to others.
Spending just a few minutes in a power pose can have an impact on how you feel for the rest of the day, so make sure to incorporate them into your daily routine. You can do them in private before an important meeting or presentation or even in the middle of a stressful situation to help calm yourself down.
Build eye contact
Imagine an individual talking to you while looking elsewhere. It feels awkward, doesn’t it? Avoiding eye contact conveys a lack of interest and control over the conversation. Most of all, a lack of confidence can be felt if people don’t hold eye contact with you.
While conversing, ensure that you provide the speaker with your attention and maintain eye contact. To make eye contact, look directly into the person’s eyes. Keep your gaze steady, and don’t look away suddenly. Try not to blink too much, as this can make you appear nervous.
If you find it difficult to maintain eye contact, start by making brief eye contact and gradually increase the amount of time you hold their gaze. Practice with friends or family members first so that it feels more natural when you do it in a real-life situation.
Keep that smile on
It is natural to feel nervous and anxious but it is also essential to learn how to overcome those feelings. We all feel nervous in various situations but showing it through our facial expressions make us appear less confident. If we find ourselves in a situation that makes us feel uneasy, we must take deep, slow breaths to calm our nerves and smile. When we smile and keep our face open, it signals that we are approachable and receptive to communication. It also makes us appear more confident and trustworthy. On the other hand, if we have a closed-off or scowling expression, people are less likely to approach us or want to engage with us.
Smiling often and keeping our facial expressions open projects us as friendly and confident and people are more likely to respond positively to us in return.
Gestures to show you’re listening and engaged
Hand gestures are a sign of confident body language and can be a powerful tool for expressing emotions and reinforcing spoken words. They help to emphasise on points and create a more engaging and memorable experience for the listener. When you’re talking to someone, it’s important to show that you’re listening and engaged in the conversation. There are a few gestures you can use to show that you’re interested and paying attention.
Apart from making eye contact with the person you’re talking to which shows that you’re focused on them and not looking around the room or distracted, nod your head occasionally. It shows that you understand what they are saying. This helps keep the conversation flowing and shows that you care about what they’re saying.
Finally, learn to not cross your arms or legs while talking. This can make you seem closed off or uninterested in the conversation. Instead, try to keep an open posture with your arms at your sides or crossed in front of you.
Mirror others
When you mirror someone’s body language, it sends a non-verbal message that you’re in sync with them, which can make them feel more comfortable and encourage them to open up to you. It’s an easy way to build rapport and make a good impression.
Try and mirror someone’s body language, pay attention to their posture, gestures and facial expressions. Learn to match them as closely as you can. For example, if they lean forward, you lean forward; if they cross their arms, you cross your arms. If they smile, you smile.
This doesn’t mean that you should mimic every action, but subtly matching their body language will create a sense of connection between the two of you.
The way you carry yourself and the way you express yourself through your body language can make a big difference in how confident and self-assured you come across to others. By taking control of your body language and showing confidence, you are certain to make a good impression and also feel good about yourself.