Signs of Stress in Body Language

Body movements and facial expressions that an individual makes may help to know his thoughts and feelings, including tension, fear, admiration, and others. The following is a group of signs of tension in body language:

• Snapping fingers

One study showed that 54% of people resort to this behavior to relieve stress and nervousness.

• Arms crossed

This behavior provides a sense of closure and self-protection; it is one of the quick reactions when feeling stressed.

• Nail biting

Stress and anxiety may be one of the reasons leading to this behavior, and if left uncontrolled, this may increase the risk of practicing some other negative behaviors, which may include biting the cheeks, pulling off hairs, grinding the teeth, etc.

• Avoiding eye contact

Avoiding eye contact and looking away in random places may be a sign of tension, discomfort, and an attempt to hide true feelings.

• Body vibration

This behavior, and others such as rapid movement, may be reactions to the release of large amounts of adrenaline when feeling stressed.

• Voice changes

Such as trembling in the voice, or interruption, or acceleration of the vocal tone.

• Blushing

It is a natural response of the body when feeling stressed, and one that people cannot control. In some cases, some people may resort to medication or even surgery to get rid of the problem of facial redness.

• Sweating

Cases of sweating ranging from mild to extreme, even excessive cases, are not just merely signs of stress, it requires medical assistance as well. See a doctor in such situations.

• Body tilt

Some people may change their body posture when they feel stressed, as they may lean their body in a certain direction in an exaggerated manner.

• Restlessness

It is an internal feeling of discomfort, and this feeling is translated into making certain movements with the hands and feet.

• Irregular eye blinking

The rate of blinking can rise when individuals experience nervousness, due to their attempts to consciously manage eye movement.

Tips For Improving Body Language Control

When feeling stressed, here are a set of tips that may help control body language and increase the ability to understand the body language of others:

• Make eye contact

Avoid negative nervous habits as much as possible, such as fidgeting. Be sure to nod your head when listening to others speak. Smile at the right time. Avoid looking down, keeping your head up. Stand up straight. Pay attention to the position of your arms, and do not cross them. Pay attention to facial expressions, such as the shape of the eyebrows or lips. Make sure to walk with large, balanced steps. To better understand other people's body language, you can ask questions about what others mean, observe the tone of their voice, or compare their words to their body language.

Factors That Affect Body Language

Although some behaviors are associated with specific feelings, body language may differ from one person to another, as a result of being affected by a group of individual differences, including the following:

• Cultural differences

Individual behaviors may be influenced by cultural backgrounds; for example, eye contact while speaking with others is considered a sign of interest in many Western cultures, while people avoid prolonged eye contact in Eastern cultures.

• Psychological differences

Because the mental health of individuals is reflected in their behavior, for example, people with social anxiety may find it difficult to be perceived by others.

• Developmental differences

Individuals' behaviors may vary depending on the extent to which their human brains are developed. For example, fidgeting may occur when some people feel bored, while neurodiverse individuals may exhibit fidgeting to relieve stress or increase concentration.