Body Language Of Anxiety
All human feelings and emotions are reflected, in one way or another, in each person’s gestures and posture. This is why we talk about an anxiety body language. There is also a body language of depression, joy, fear, etc. We are all capable of reading the meaning of these languages, without activating the will.
This communication through the body sets a certain tone in our interactions with others. It provides a specific climate in which spontaneity, tension, disinterest or a specific type of emotion prevail. What is expressed through words is only part of communication. The rest, which is deeper, shines through in the body language.
In the body language of anxiety, there are several things that indicate a state of nervousness or worry. They are related to facial expression, movement of the extremities and general body posture. Let’s take a look at some of these elements.
Hands in Anxiety Body Language
The hands are one of the most important elements in anxiety body language. One of the gestures that most betrays our inner anxiety is hiding them. Showing one’s hands to the other is indeed a sign of peace, harmony and friendship. It makes the other person understand that we are not hiding anything, that we do not have a weapon or other instrument that can hurt.
Subconsciously, we keep our hands in view when we are still. On the other hand, when we are afraid, do not trust or want to express our doubts, we do the opposite. We hide our hands, whether it’s keeping them in pockets, putting them behind our backs or under the table, etc.
The look, another revealing element
The gaze is another of those elements that always reveal our emotions. When a person is anxious, their whole face and whole body in general denotes a certain rigidity. The most common thing is that she has frowns. She will therefore be asked if she is in a bad mood or if she is worried. It is also normal that this makes people see her as a serious person.
One gesture in particular shows this state of anxiety. A totally fixed gaze is combined with times when the person lowers their head. One or the other sometimes predominates but, in general, these are gestures that are present in people with high anxiety.
It should be remembered that there is a constant but undefined sense of preoccupation with anxiety. This includes some irritation and general intolerance of those around them. This is why the fixed gaze, which reflects a certain aggressiveness, is combined with a lowered gaze, which is a signal for introspection.
Other gestures that denote anxiety
The act of biting something is one of the most typical in states of anxiety. This fact is very evident when we bite our nails. Not everyone has this habit but some may for example bite objects like a pencil or any other object. It is also common to see nervous people biting their lips. It is a gesture of restraint that denotes concern. The same thing happens when you chew gum.
Another element that reveals anxiety is that of continuous and compulsive movements. Sometimes it is the famous crossed leg that swings and cannot stand still. Other times it could be something you play with in your hands, a tic, pat the ground with your feet, etc. All of this reflects worry and nervousness.
One thing special happens with anxiety: it is easily transmitted. Especially if the interlocutor (s) are tense. Anecdotal body language is therefore no trivial matter. This is a signal that brings it to light. It shows, on the one hand, that worries need to be resolved and, on the other, that communication with others can be negatively affected.
Our thoughts Anxiety is like a scary monster that attacks our brain and causes it to put us on high alert. How to manage it?
