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Learn to decode body language signals!

Discover how to decipher the meaning of certain gestures and learn to better understand the emotions of your interlocutors thanks to the science of .

Introduction : Non-verbal communication, a universal language

In our daily exchanges, our body transmits much more information than we think. Indeed, it is estimated that the attitude of the body represents 55% of the message, words only 7% and intonation 38%. By carefully observing the face, hands and posture of our interlocutor, it is possible to detect if he is stressed, angry or lying. Henrik Fexeus, a Swedish mentalist, has studied non-verbal communication and reveals in his book “The art of reading minds” his best advice for deciphering the unconscious messages of our interlocutors.

Synergology: The science of body language

Synergology is a discipline founded by Philippe Turchet which studies body language to decode gestures and better understand our interlocutor. This science allows us to learn to read between the lines of non-verbal communication and to anticipate the reactions of those around us.

Detecting stress through body language

Stress often shows up as signs of nervousness or discomfort on the face or hands of the person we are talking to. For example, pursing one's lips or playing with one's fingers may indicate anxiety or stress. More subtly, a stressed or unsettled person may swallow their saliva or blink their eyelids more quickly.

How to detect a liar by his gestures?

A liar can betray his nervousness by gestures such as hiding his mouth with a hand or finger, fidgeting or running his hand across the back of his neck. According to Henrik Fexeus, the way we speak and the quality of our voice can also change when we lie. For example, we might pause too long or too short, try to save time by dragging out vowels, or stutter when we are nervous.

Our hands and arms: expressive allies

Our hands and arms are true tools of expression and can reveal our emotions. Hands clasped between the legs show a lack of self-confidence, while speaking with hands held upwards expresses confidence and a position of superiority. Crossed arms are often perceived as a sign of closure and distance, but they can also be a posture of comfort or affirmation, depending on the context.

The gaze: Mirror of the soul

Our eyes are often considered the reflection of our soul, and it is true that they express many emotions. However, according to Henrik Fexeus, we should not rely solely on our eyes to determine if someone is lying. A liar may exaggerate by avoiding or holding the gaze too much. The eyes can also naturally turn away depending on our state of mind: sadness, shame, disapproval, etc.

The exercise of the pupils

In his book, Henrik Fexeus proposes an exercise to observe the reaction of the eyes of our interlocutor. Talk about a boring subject, then change the subject to something that interests him. Observe how his pupils dilate as he becomes more interested in the conversation.

Smiling: True or False?

A real smile is characterized by the appearance of fine lines at the level of the eyes. If a person smiles without expressing emotion in the eyes, it is likely that he or she is forcing himself or herself.

Everyday gestures

We make many unconscious gestures in our daily lives: scratching our foreheads, touching the tip of our noses, repositioning a lock of hair, etc. These gestures can reveal emotions such as difficulty in expressing oneself, interest, concentration or even embarrassment.

It is important to note that body language is not an exact science and that we should not be too quick to interpret the non-verbal behavior of our interlocutor. Consider the context and the person's usual behavior before jumping to conclusions. By mastering the art of synergology, you will be able to better understand the emotions of those around you and improve your relationships.

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