How to Improve Your Body Language

Body language is a powerful form of non-verbal communication, especially at work.

Body language plays an enormous part in dialogue. Without body language, people would have to rely on words alone to gauge another person's mood and confidence. Body language essentially tells someone how you feel about what you're saying or what you're being told. You can use body language to your advantage, especially in a work environment, and impress those you talk to. If you are consciously aware of how you appear and take steps to correct problem areas, you can improve your body language fairly quickly.

Instructions

1. Relax your body. When you're nervous or unsure about a situation, you naturally tense up. Your entire body appears unnaturally stiff. When you find yourself in an unusual or uncomfortable situation, try to relax. Exhale and inhale deeply to release tension.

2. Maintain eye contact, especially with your superiors. Your eyes tell a person a lot about your confidence. If your eyes roam about the room as you're talking, it shows that you're not confident in what you're saying or that you're intimidated by the person you're talking to. It's fine to look away occasionally, but you should remain looking at whom you're speaking the majority of the time.

3. Keep your hands relaxed but down, if you find yourself constantly reaching for your neck or face. People naturally reach for the back of their neck when scared or uncomfortable. It's also ideal to keep your hands rested on a table or lowered if you find you accidentally cover your mouth when you speak, as doing so muffles your words.

4. Look and stand straight. Slumping over or constantly looking at your feet shows a lack of confidence. When you're walking, look straight ahead, not at the ground; act as if you know exactly where you want to go, even if you're unsure.

5. Smile more. Your face is a powerful indicator to how you feel about something. A subtle shift in your lips can tell people you're upset, enthusiastic or angry about an idea. In most cases, it's best to smile, especially if you're presenting an idea or report. It's not necessary to widen your mouth and show your teeth constantly, but a small smile shows confidence and sureness.

References

• Forbes; Improve Your Body Language -- Media Training; TJ Walker; March 2011
• Psychology Today; Body Language Secrets of the Neck; Joe Navarro; November 2009
• The Sideroad; Business Body Language: Handshakes, Eye Contact, Posture, and Smiles; Lillian D. Bjorseth