Can Your Body Language Really Affect Your Self-Esteem?

Your body is more powerful than you think. It speaks volumes about your personality, and has a significant impact on how people perceive you.

Your body language is what makes people’s heads turn; it is what reveals your own take on a certain situation, and is what delivers your feelings.

Body language is constructed from a number of factors: posture and gestures, facial expressions and eye contact.

Mind Over Body

You’ve heard how self-esteem affects body language. Truth is that this concept works the other way around as well. Intentionally altering your mannerisms can impact your thinking; you condition your mind to believe that you ARE confident.

Go through some body language tips to improve your self-esteem.

Allow yourself to smile

Not only does a smile make you more approachable, it instills in you a sense of ease. Did you know that smiling can actually induce stress-reducing endorphins in your body and calm you naturally?

Concentrate on your posture

Un-slouch those shoulders and lift up your neck – believe that you can do anything! Not only does standing and sitting straight promote good health, it  also reflects a confident demeanor.

Take on a few power poses: standing in a victory stance or sitting in an imposing way for a couple of minutes can help you feel more powerful—that feeling persists when you go out among other people.

Pay attention to your arms and legs

Crossing your arms can make you appear closed-off and nervous. Holding your arms by your side leaves you “open.” Cross your legs if you feel comfortable, but not while you cross your arms.

These positions may seemingly leave you structurally vulnerable, but are in fact a way of conveying that you can take on any challenge that comes your way.

Maintain eye contact

A diverted and unfocused gaze implies that you are uninterested in a conversation and is incredibly disrespectful.

Ever had to go up in front of a room full of people and give a speech? Your audience is more focused when you keep moving your eyes around and focus on different people at intervals, balancing the non-verbal and verbal aspects of your presentation.

Give a strong handshake

A firm handshake is a must-practice for every individual. A strong handshake is a universal sign of confidence, whether conducted in a casual or a professional situation.

Your handshake should not be too light as to appear weak, and not too hard that its crushes the other person’s hand. A solid handshake, combined with a couple seconds of eye contact, is a truly self-assured way of making a good first impression.
Managing your body language helps you deliver the appropriate message to people around you and establish a considerable level of self-esteem.

Take a look at the life of Scott Burrows, a business speaker on perseverance, who has been delivering lessons on self-esteem to a vast number of professional audiences. The internationally renowned keynote motivational speaker’s inspiring story and powerful speeches have transformed the way his listeners perceive challenges in their lives.

Have a look at some of his speeches.

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