Body language: Meaning, examples, and why it matters

Reviewed by Brooks Baer, LCPC, CMHP

Written by

therapist.com team

10/14/2026

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Have you ever walked into a room and immediately sensed tension, even though no one said a word? Or felt instantly comfortable with someone you just met? That’s the power of body language at work.

What is body language?

Body language refers to the nonverbal behaviors that signal something about our personality traits, relationships, emotions, or intentions.¹ Understanding body language can make you better equipped for navigating social situations.

Some of the most common types of body language include:

Facial expressions. Something as simple as a smile can create safety and comfort in interactions.² Frowning and raising your eyebrows, on the other hand, can convey a more serious message like skepticism or disapproval.

Gestures. This includes symbols made with your hands, like “OK” or “STOP” which let you communicate complete messages in silence.³ Gestures are often used alongside speech to give words certain meaning, such as a wavering hand in midair to show mixed feelings about what you’re discussing.

Posture and walking pattern. How someone holds their body can help others sense how they’re feeling. For example, one study found that when people feel sad, they walk more slowly, swing their arms less, and don’t move their heads up or down as much.⁴

Eye contact. This nonverbal communication is a large piece of many interactions. Looking into someone’s eyes keeps conversations engaging and can convey interest, affection, or even attraction.⁵ In academia, eye contact can enhance learning experiences and signals genuine engagement.⁶

Touch. Physical contact can foster strong connections and convey emotions like empathy.⁷ Touching another person is a form of contact often saved for closer relationships, but there are other situations where it can be appropriate. In certain healthcare settings, for example, caregivers commonly spend time in close proximity to, or even touching, patients.⁸

Personal space. People’s preferences around personal space shift based on context. Research suggests the distance between two people tends to be smaller when they express affection compared to anger or even happiness.⁹ People also spend more time in their counterpart’s personal space during affectionate interactions.

Culture and context matter

Body language is challenging because it isn’t a fixed code you can memorize like you can with speech-based languages. When you interpret body language you need to consider not only context and culture, but the relationship between two people.

For example, personal space preferences vary across situations and partners rather than being a stable boundary.¹⁰ Similarly, cross-cultural studies have revealed considerable diversity in how people use and interpret facial expressions, challenging any myth of universality.¹¹

Negative body language

There are several forms of negative body language that can get in the way of effectively communicating with others.¹² Closed-off or defensive body language can create barriers that inhibit teamwork and slow down knowledge sharing. Common examples include:

• Crossed arms signaling disinterest or disagreement
• Lack of eye contact indicating discomfort or disengagement
• Dismissive gestures hindering collaboration and stifling the flow of ideas

Becoming more aware of these negative signals can help you adjust your approach in conversations. If you notice these cues in others, you might need to change tactics. If you catch yourself displaying them, it’s a good reminder to be more mindful about what you’re communicating nonverbally. Ask yourself if the messages you’re sending out via body language are supporting what you’re saying or fighting against it.

There are times in which a person’s body language may feel personal but actually be due to factors you’re not aware of. For example, they may have just had a fight with a loved one or not slept well the night before. If someone you know is giving you signals they don’t seem aware of, it can help to speak with them directly instead of trying to interpret imperfect cues.

If you’re frequently worried about the thoughts of others, have anxiety around direct conversations, or have other communication challenges you’d like to work on, speaking with a mental health professional can help.

Positive body language examples

Body language can also be used to communicate positive emotions, including confidence and excitement. Here are some examples of what that can look like in practice.

Confident signals like good posture and firm handshakes create positive impressions, especially during interviews and evaluations.¹³

To project confidence:

• Stand or sit up straight with shoulders back
• Keep your head level and maintain an open stance
• Use purposeful hand gestures that emphasize your points
• Offer firm (not crushing) handshakes when greeting people
• Take up appropriate space without invading others’ personal boundaries

Open and inviting body language combined with active listening skills helps build trust and collaboration.

Practice openness by:

• Keeping your arms relaxed at your sides or using them expressively
• Facing the person you’re speaking with directly
• Leaning slightly forward to show interest
• Nodding and providing verbal acknowledgments
• Mirroring the other person’s energy appropriately

Effective eye contact varies by situation. In general, looking into someone’s eyes when talking keeps conversations interesting and conveys genuine attention.¹⁴

Genuine smiles can create psychological safety. One study based in academia showed that effective lecturers smile and even laugh during presentations to create a comfortable atmosphere for future feedback.¹⁵

Why body language matters

Learning body language isn’t just about decoding other people’s unspoken messages—it’s about improving your own communication skills and promoting more inviting and productive interactions. Here are some tips to consider when interacting with others.

Context is everything. Nonverbal communication relies on multiple cues, contexts, emotions, and behaviors working simultaneously.¹⁶ Context, including physical environment and cultural frames, is critical for understanding body language.

With this in mind, good rules of thumb for body language include:

• Don’t rely too heavily on any one signal
• Consider the entire situation before making judgments
• Recognize that the same gesture can mean different things in different contexts
• Pay attention to clusters of behaviors rather than isolated movements

Cultural awareness prevents misunderstandings. Being aware of cultural nuances is crucial for effective cross-cultural communication. The way people read body language varies across cultures with distinct norms and expectations. What’s considered respectful eye contact in one culture might be seen as aggressive in another. Personal space preferences differ dramatically across cultural boundaries. If you’re traveling, or just spending times with new groups in new settings, take note of the body language happening in those spaces. Look for signs about how you’re being received and adjust if you feel it’s needed.

Practice conscious awareness. Start by:

1. Observing your own patterns in different situations
2. Noticing how others respond to your nonverbal cues
3. Adjusting based on feedback and context
4. Studying successful communicators in your field
5. Practicing new body language postures until they feel natural

Work on alignment. Remember that verbal and nonverbal messages should align. When they don’t match, people may end up trusting the nonverbal signals more than your words. Make sure your body language supports what you’re saying.

If you’re interested in improving your communication skills with professional support, consider working with a therapist. They can help you address underlying concerns like social anxiety and work with you on the specific skills you want to strengthen. Visit our directory to find qualified mental health professionals.