The 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 one speaks of a body language of anxiety, as well as a body language of depression, joy, fear, etc. We are all able to read the meaning of this language.

This communication through the body gives a certain tone to our interactions with others. It grants a specific climate, in which spontaneity, tension, disinterest or a certain type of emotion prevail. What is expressed through words is only part of communication. The rest, and deeper, is up to body language.

In the body language of anxiety, there are several elements that reveal the state of nervousness or restlessness. They are related to the expression of the face, the movement of the extremities and the general posture of the body. Let’s see what some of these elements are.

Hands on Anxiety Body Language

Hands are one of the most important elements in anxiety body language. One of the gestures that betray inner restlessness is to hide them. Since ancient times, showing your hands is a gesture of peace, harmony and friendship. In other words, it implies that nothing is hidden, that you don’t carry a weapon or something that could harm others.

Unconsciously, people leave their hands in plain sight when they are at ease. On the other hand, when we feel fear, distrust the situation, or want to express our reservations, we do the opposite. We hide our hands, putting them in our pockets, behind the body, leaving them under the table, etc.

The look, another revealing element

The look is another one of those elements that always reveal the state of mind. When a person is anxious, his whole face and body have a certain rigidity. It’s normal to be constantly frowning.

For this reason, it is very common for people to be asked if they are in a bad mood or worried about something. It is also common that this manifestation can cause others to see you as a serious person.

There is a particular gesture of the gaze that demonstrates this state of anguish. It’s about combining a fully fixed gaze with moments when the exposed area of ​​the eye is reduced and the head lowered. Sometimes one predominates more than the other, but usually these are gestures that are present in people with a high anxiety state.

We must remember that in anxiety there is a feeling of constant worry, but at the same time indefinite. This also includes some general irritation and intolerance to the surrounding environment. That’s why the fixed gaze, which denotes a certain aggressiveness, is combined with the downcast gaze, which is a sign of introspection.

Other gestures that denote anxiety

The biting gesture is one of the most typical in anxiety states. It becomes more evident when, for example, the person starts biting their nails. However, not everyone has this habit.

It is also possible that there is a habit of biting other objects, such as pencils, erasers or any other object that is in the person’s hands.

When someone is nervous, it is also very common for them to bite their lips. It is a gesture of restraint that denotes concern. The same applies to actions such as chewing gum.

Another element that reveals anxiety is the continuous and compulsive movements. Sometimes it’s the famous leg that swings and doesn’t stop for a moment. At other times it is an object that the person plays with their hands over and over. It can also be a tic, tapping the floor with your feet, tapping your fingers or something like that. All of this denotes restlessness and nervousness.

Something particular happens with anxiety. The fact is that it is easily contagious, especially if the interlocutor(s) is also under stress. That’s why anxiety body language is more than casual. It’s a telltale sign of someone’s anxiety. On the one hand, this shows that there are concerns to be resolved. On the other hand, it may be hampering communication with others.