BODY LANGUAGE

Your facial expressions, gestures, postures, and tone of voice are powerful communication tools.

What is body language?

Body language is a type of communication in which physical behaviour, as opposed to words, are used to express or convey the information. Such behaviours includes facial expressions, body language, gestures, eye movements and tone of voice.

TYPES OF BODY LANGUAGES INCLUDES:

Facial expression. The human face is extremely expressive, able to convey countless emotions without saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, and disgust are the same across cultures.

Body movement and posture. Consider how your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit, walk, stand, or hold their head.

This type of nonverbal communication includes your posture, bearing, and the subtle movements you make.

Gestures. Gestures are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. You may wave, beckon, or use your hands when arguing or speaking animatedly, often expressing yourself with gestures without thinking. However, the meaning of some gestures can be very different across cultures.

Eye contact. Since the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is an especially important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can communicate many things, including interest, affection, or attraction.

Voice. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. When you speak, other people “read” your voice in addition to listening to your words. Things they pay attention to include your timing and pace, how loud you speak, your tone and inflection, and sounds that convey understanding. Think about how your tone of voice can indicate sarcasm, anger, affection, or confidence.