Avoid These 12 Negative Body Language Signals

Taken for granted, your body language may be giving the incorrect messages to others, which may be hindering your own development in life.

Some of us live in a state of denial, focused on the product rather than our own personal presentation, believing that if we simply create something that is unquestionably amazing, everything would be forgiven and forgotten.

Despite the fact that it is a bazaar, what some of us fail to see is that everyone constantly interacts with their body. Perhaps we get absorbed in our thoughts and lose sight of this important part of communication..

Each of us communicates something about ourselves to the rest of the world via little and major nonverbal indicators.

Some nonverbal communication is easily seen — for example, whether you are pleased or sad, you frown or grin to express your emotions.

Similarly, our audience notices nonverbal communication that is absorbed unintentionally, such as when you smile with your lips but the rest of your face is rigid; you seem uncertain.

Some occur just once – for example, you hastily modify your hairstyle shortly before you speak. Others occur repeatedly.

Many others occur repeatedly – for example, you keep altering your clothing while speaking.

 

The following are 12 signs of negative body language.

For the record, as a former human resources professional, I will tell you that your presentation has already began even in the parking lot, where there are cameras, or even in the foyer, where you wait in line with the receptionist for your meeting.

The whole globe has become a stage because of online and offline networking, as well as not knowing who knows who. So, here are 12 frequent negative body language signs that you may not be aware of, but which might be impeding your ability to achieve success in your career or personal relationships.

 

Rub your nose with your index finger or touch your nose many times
In addition to allergies, this condition may be caused when your blood pressure rises for any variety of causes, boosting blood flow to your skin and dilation of the cells, especially those belonging to the mast cell.

The negative impact on your image and presentation will be significant, and you may lose the trust of others as a result of it. People may have difficulty placing their faith in you or your message if they see an indication for lying.

Try to keep your hands as far away from your face as you can if at all feasible.

 

The second step is to touch up or fix your hair.

Second, and closely related to the first, is the act of touching around your face, notably for self-grooming. It just takes a single time to make a little adjustment to your hair to convey that you are uneasy or hesitant.

Prior to starting, you were ill-prepared.

In infomercials, there is a confident flip of the hair that can be done, but there aren’t many other circumstances in which this would not seem to be poor acting technique. You should perform your grooming in solitude, ideally away from the individuals you will be speaking with or with whom you will be interacting.

 

3.Bites Your Lips 

I was going to advise don’t bite your nails, but that is a no-brainer to stay away from. Unaware that they are doing so, folks will bite their lower lip. It’s something I’ve seen people do at podiums, and it’s just for a split second at a time.

Only a small number of individuals chew their lips in public.

At stop lights, I’ve seen individuals do it in the privacy of their automobiles. It’s possible that they are stressed up about something they have done or are going to do. When you bite your lip even once in front of a group of people, it is a sign that you are hesitant or unconfident about your abilities.

Either you or your presentation will lose credibility in the eyes of people who are watching you and listening to your presentation.

 

The fourth step is to cover your mouth with your hands.

This occurs around conference tables during meetings and throughout interviews with little or no apparent consequence to the participants. People might seem to be lost in contemplation at any point in time. Because it is becoming more connected with deception and dishonesty, it might harm your reputation.

What could possibly go wrong? That would be the worst-case scenario. If you are portraying a lack of confidence, rather than deliberation, it is a lesser evil, but it is still undesirable.

In situations when you want to be viewed as confident and certain, if this is something you do when you are scared, it is possible that you are exacerbating your predicament. Never give the impression that you are worried or that you have been caught out.

 

scratching the surface of the skin
The act of scratching looks benign, but even if you do it once, it conveys the message that you are uncertain.

Similarly to how people touch their noses, they itch their arms and necks. It is possible for mast cells to begin releasing histamine when their blood pressure rises, resulting in the itchy skin sensation.

Having had hives after dealing with stressful events on a regular basis, I can speak to the relationship between the two factors.

It is best not to scratch while speaking in front of your peers since, if you are in a scenario where confidence and trust are important, you risk losing your personal credibility.

 

Sixth, rub or hold the earlobes

In meetings or during an interview, I’ve seen a motion that I didn’t pay attention to at the time, but which I afterwards realized was a bad body language signal.

For me, it was a considerate gesture, as if someone was really contemplating something and weighing their alternatives before they made the decision.

But it may also be read as someone who is concerned and on the verge of deceiving others. Certainly, it is regarded a self-soothing gesture, one that is prompted again by an increase in blood pressure and the release of histamine in the body.

 

7.Pinching of the Nose.

Pinching your nose, as well as rubbing your nose, may be distracting.

Both an interviewer and an instructor have done this to me in the course of their presentations. Although it was something I didn’t believe was very noteworthy, it has been identified as something that is detrimental to your impression of self-assurance.

A single instance of this is a clear indication that you’ve made an error and have conceded some ground in the game at the very minimum. Despite the fact that you strode confidently to the front of the room, something has gone wrong for the time being… You’re starting to lose your grip on the situation.

 

8.Crossing Your Ankles.

The majority of individuals have heard or come across the concept that crossing your arms and legs is a protective action that closes you off from others.

This is a negative in both dating and meetings. However, even crossing your ankles might be taken negatively, even if you were just trying to make yourself more comfortable at the moment.

While sitting in my chair, I simply attempted to analyze myself and how I felt, and I can say that there is some validity to the idea of this being a self-soothing action. Currently, you are attempting to make yourself at ease.

At any case, it would be simple to accomplish this whether you are presenting a presentation while standing or sitting in a meeting. A person who notices it can interpret it as a sign that you are concealing something, or that you are feeling uncomfortable or hesitant about something.

Especially if you are attempting to persuade some individuals to invest in you and your concept, you may have taken a step back while on that mission, thus it is best not to cross your arms, legs, or ankles while on that mission.

 

9. Placing your index and middle fingers behind your ears.

The fact is, I’ve seen guys do this a lot, both on dates and at a professional luncheon.

The image might represent someone reclining back in ease or confidence, but it could also represent something else. It is assumed that this is a very manly gesture, and that the person is preparing to strike.

It may also be seen as a protective and menacing gesture, as well. If you aren’t at home or out with friends, it isn’t appropriate to engage in this behavior with peers, at meetings or during interviews in any context.

Certainly, there isn’t a lot of confidence in the air. The defensiveness is one of self-protection.

 

10.Choosing

Whether you pick at your fingernails or pick at the corner of your portfolio, this is a sign of uneasiness in your situation.

Stress causes your body to send messages to your brain telling you to do something, anything. It is referred to as the fight-or-flight reflex.

Consciously relax your body by taking deep breaths..

Consider a pleasant image that will help you to cope with the tension you are experiencing. Regain your bearings and concentration. Your personal presentation should not be compromised by your heightened levels of stress.

 

Fidgeting is number eleven on our list.

A fast, close-to-the-body movement is defined as fidgeting, which is more than just shifting your weight uncomfortably in your chair. Clothing, hair, and pens may all be fidgety objects for us. Clenching and unclosing of the hands are possible. We have the ability to transfer our weight from one foot to the other on the ground.

Stress levels have risen, and this has triggered the fight or flight reaction. Nothing more can be done but to sit back and enjoy the ride. Faltering in any way may undermine the trust that others have in you. Toss your high heels and the need to constantly alter your attire to the back of your mind in the green room.

Alternatively, you might entirely disregard them since you have good reason to be confident and calm.

 

12. Developing a Fixed Point of View

Because it is the polar opposite of everything else and something that most people would never think of doing themselves, but that we witness others doing, I saved it for last. We may dismiss it as nothing more than a state of nervousness or tension.

It’s possible to induce this dramatic hardness of facial muscles while a youngster clens their teeth just by instructing them to remain motionless.

It is even possible for their muscles in their arms, legs, and toes to become too stiff.

In our attempts at being calm and unfidgety, like a toddler, we may unintentionally become stiff as a result of our attempts. It is possible that our other muscles become tense when we attempt to hide our displeasure or worry by smiling.

As a result, we get the exact opposite effect of what we wanted from our personal presentation. As a result of being rigid and stiff, we resemble a rabbit in the field, attentive yet afraid, as a hawk’s shadow sweeps over us.

The best way to combat this is to remain flexible and open by relaxing, as well as to feel fully secure and in control.

 

Conclusion

Depending on the context, we may find it very simple to maintain control over large motions and even some minor movements. Presentation skills are taught in the context of a school environment. Preparing for a job interview is something we learn to do well.

While we must maintain our composure for as long as possible, it is increasingly vital to be really confident and up to the work at hand.

It’s similar to the tiny motions that are more difficult to regulate, such as the movements of the face muscle. And it’s the same as when our skin color or body temperature changes, for instance. The fact that we are sweating is not something we want people to notice.

Developing confidence and marrying it to our spirit is the only way to keep the subtle, scarcely noticeable body language indicators on a favorable track. We have to believe in ourselves, and we have to think that our audience needs to regard us and what we are delivering as the greatest that can possibly be.

If you have an active imagination, doubt becomes your worst adversary, particularly if you have doubt along with it.

Even as you comb through your personal inventory for any imperfections, and as we triple check our projects and products for their weakest parts, and even as you research your peers and audience for their most contrary objections and critical questions, we must make a decision about whether or not we will believe something at some point in time.

The fact that you enter a meeting with confidence in your own ability to succeed is not dumb. Entering the room while still attempting to persuade yourself is unwise.