Five Body Language Tips That Will Boost Your Confidence
Confidence is an endearing trait. Sometimes it can be perceived as pride or worse, as vanity. However, in every facet of our life, being confident gets you recognised and remembered.
The trick is to find the right balance between having your head held high (which is great) or your shoulders held high (which is not so great). Nobody likes a cocky person but we sure can appreciate a confident person.
With confidence, it isn’t about what you say but how you are perceived. How you carry yourself and the things you do are all indicative of the sort of person you are. Cue in the topic of Body Language.
What is Body Language?
Body Language is the conscious or unconscious postures or movements by which feelings, thoughts, or characteristics are expressed.
Body Language can be used to read behavioural tendencies and in extreme instances used to forecast a person’s actions or decision-making capabilities.
Body Language is vital if you want to build your confidence.
Here are 5 Body Language tips that will build your confidence.
1. Eye Contact
Avoiding eye contact is usually seen as an expression of guilt or fear. People who usually avoid eye contact during conversations are sometimes considered meek or uninterested in said topic.
One can assert confidence by keeping eye contact. The stronger your eye contact the more authority you will demand.
2. Slow down
Take your time when articulating your thoughts or feelings. Speaking in a bluster is considered a sign of anxiety or low confidence. Practice by taking deep breaths and taking pauses between sentences or phrases.
This will give you a confidence boost and also allow you to think while expressing yourself.
3. Control your hands
You may not realize it but confidence can sometimes be read by your hand movements. Being fidgety or excessively elaborate can be used to read your mood, and used against you.
Control your hand gestures by being expressive when talking about positive issues and doing fewer movements when expressing anger or dissatisfaction.
4. Avoid your pockets
Putting your hands in your pockets diminishes your presence. Especially in a room full of people. Try as much as possible to have your hands out of your pocket or either hold something (a beverage will do).
One hand in your pocket with your other held aloft during conversations is a great way to express confidence.
5. Posture
Posture is one of the most definitive ways by which people determine a person’s confidence factor. Regardless of how you are feeling, your posture needs to be strong if you want to exude confidence.
Shoulders back, chest slightly out, and head held high is a strong way of expressing confidence. You can also work out your shoulder and back muscles to strengthen your posture.