Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

The sayings, “Actions speak louder than words,” and “It’s not what you say, but how you say it,” are popular adages for good reason. Our silent body language speaks volumes, but we may not always be aware of what we’re saying with it. The way we hold ourselves, our gestures, and even how we make eye contact can make a huge difference in how people perceive us.

And that perception makes a difference. People form a first impression within seconds, and some research shows that traits like trustworthiness start to be judged within a tenth of a second of meeting someone.


If you want to be perceived as charming and likable, here are some body language habits to adopt.

1. The Art of Eye Contact

Making eye contact can feel awkward for some people, but looking someone in the eye shows confidence and engagement. One study shows that people with higher self-esteem tend to break eye contact less frequently than those with lower self-esteem. It is possible to overdo it, though. Staring intensely at someone without looking away can come off as creepy. One suggestion, known as the 50/70 rule, is to keep eye contact 50% of the time while speaking and 70% of the time while listening. It’s all about finding the sweet spot between actively engaged and overly intense.

2. The Open Body Posture

Keeping your arms and legs crossed can make you come across as defensive or closed off. Try opening up your posture, keeping your arms relaxed at your sides. Instead, try an open posture. Keep your arms relaxed at your sides and angle your body so you’re facing the person you’re talking to. Think of your physical openness as reflecting an inner attitude of openness, making you more approachable.

3. The Duchenne Smile

Smiling makes someone instantly more likable and approachable, but there’s a difference between a put-on smile and a genuine smile. How can people tell the difference? A real smile, also known as a Duchenne smile, engages not just your mouth but your eyes. One way to evoke a true smile, especially if you’re nervous, is to think of something joyful or funny. Research shows that even just going through the physical motion of smiling can make people feel happier, so don’t worry if you have to fake a smile at first.

4. Becoming a Mirror (or a Chameleon)

Research shows that we may be chameleons without realizing it—and that’s not a bad thing. Most of us naturally mimic or mirror the facial expressions and non-verbal behaviors of people we interact with to some extent. As it turns out, that mirroring has a positive influence on relationships and makes people feel more connected. Mirroring makes people feel a sense of trust, which is why salespeople are often trained in mirroring body language without being obvious about it. There’s a difference between mirroring and mimicry, so be careful not to take it too far.

5. Leaning In (Literally)

When someone is talking to you, lean your body slightly towards them. It’s a simple trick, but it signals that you’re interested in what they’re saying and fully engaged in the conversation. It also puts you physically closer, creating a sense of intimacy—but again, don’t overdo it. Leaning in should be a subtle cue that you’re listening, not a crossing-over into someone’s personal space.

Research shows that leaning in facilitates better understanding and communication between people. Leaning forward also conveys that you’re a good listener, which automatically makes you more likable.

Body language is just one piece of the likability puzzle, of course, but it’s a big one for making a good first impression. Add on being authentic and kind and truly a good listener, and you’ll be ready to charm the pants off of anyone you meet.

The article originally appeared last year.

More For You

Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev floating aboard the space station, holding a camcorder in microgravity, surrounded by equipment.

Sergei Krikalev aboard the space station, capturing moments while unknowingly becoming part of history.

He orbited Earth over 5,000 times while his homeland disappeared beneath him

It’s the stuff of science fiction—a brave explorer launches into space, only to return and find the world radically changed. But for Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, this was no movie plot. It was real life.

When Krikalev left Earth in 1991, he was a proud citizen of the Soviet Union, embarking on what was supposed to be a routine five-month mission aboard the Mir space station. But as political upheaval shook his homeland, his return was repeatedly delayed. By the time he finally made it back 312 days later, the USSR had collapsed, his country had ceased to exist, and even his hometown had a different name.

Keep ReadingShow less
Archaeologists floored by uncovered tunnels beneath a 1,500-year-old Istanbul church
Representative photo by Tyler Hendy via Pexels

Archaeologists floored by uncovered tunnels beneath a 1,500-year-old Istanbul church

In a metropolis packed with layer upon layer of historical gems, Istanbul continues to dazzle researchers and curious visitors. A fresh find has now upped its mystique: scientists have identified a secret subterranean corridor and connected rooms beneath the 1,500-year-old St. Polyeuctus Church in Saraçhane Archaeology Park, per Live Science.

Hidden underneath the old church, these puzzling features appear to be part of the original structure. Experts, however, remain knee-deep in research to figure out the exact function of these tunnels and chambers, introducing a fresh riddle into Istanbul’s already rich historical tapestry.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ancient humans may have created art inspired by dinosaur tracks, study finds
Photo credit: Renan Rodrigues Chandu and Pedro Arcanjo José Feitosa, and the Casa Grande boy

Ancient humans may have created art inspired by dinosaur tracks, study finds

A groundbreaking discovery in Brazil has revealed an unexpected connection between prehistoric worlds—ancient rock art created over 9,000 years ago has been found right beside preserved dinosaur tracks. The remarkable find, uncovered at Serrote do Letreiro in the Sousa Basin and detailed in Scientific Reports, suggests early humans may have noticed and responded to these mysterious imprints left millions of years before their time.

Our paper on the Serrote do Letreiro Site in Brazil

Keep ReadingShow less

Groundbreaking study reveals a massive country splitting into two

Rising high above the Earth, the Himalayas are not only stunning but vital to geological research. A 2023 study indicates that the Indian tectonic plate, forming the Himalayas' foundation, might be splitting apart due to a unique geological phenomenon.

The Great Himalayas, with their jagged peaks, encompass hundreds of mountains, including the towering Mount Everest at 29,035 feet. Around 40-50 million years ago, the Indian Plate's collision with the Eurasian Plate caused the Earth's crust to buckle, forming these massive structures. Their similar thickness led them to merge rather than crash, resulting in today's colossal formations.

Keep ReadingShow less
How long drugs stay in your system

How long drugs stay in your system

One of the reasons that drug tests are a colossal scam is that not all drugs stay in your system for the same amount of time. In fact, some of the least dangerous drugs such as marijuana can be detected in your urine, blood, and hair for much longer than harder drugs such as heroin and meth — meaning that schools, employers, and law enforcement agencies that drug test disproportionately penalize marijuana users.

In order to illustrate just how disparate drugs interactions can be, here's a breakdown of how long each drug stays in your system.

Keep ReadingShow less