We’ve all heard the old saying, “It’s not what you say but how you say it.” Although the words we speak express what we think, so do our body language and non verbals. According to Helpguide.org the majority of human communication is non verbal. This is a scary thought! Just imagine how many rolls of the eye, sighs and looks of disgust we have publicized! I know that on more than one occasion I have caught myself doing something or looking at someone a certain way that I wished I hadn’t been guilty of. We can often react too quickly and express our opinions in ways we don’t realize. But it doesn’t always have to be a bad thing! I’ve heard it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, hard to believe, but I don’t mind cheesing when I am in a great mood.
There are many types of body language and non verbal communication. The two groups include: facial expressions, body movements, posture, gestures, eye contact, touch, space and voice. Facial expressions are a dead give a way to the emotions an individual is feeling. The pitch and tone of someone’s voice can also distinguish personal feeling. If someone is yelling and has a loud, harsh tone we understand them to be angry.
So what’s important about our body language and non verbal communication? Everything! If you can read an individual’s body language you know how to react more appropriately to what they say and do. For instance, if you witness someone with puffy red eyes and a cracking voice you can read their body language and know that they are upset. By understanding their non verbal communication you can communicate more sympathetically with them verses running up to them like everything is okay. When intercepted correctly, body language and non verbals allow us to communicate more effectively. You can better determine when to approach your boss with a raise, when to help your friend with a bad break up, or even know when someone is upset and happy.
Understanding the way individuals communicate through non verbals and body language is a powerful tool. It provides insight to what people won’t verbally say. By utilizing this concept we will be able to understand one another and work together better. Now that you’re thinking about your own body language and how others perceive you, pay attention to what you’re really doing. Take a second to actually think about those faces your making and noises of aggravation. One important tool I found designed to analyze your own non verbal techniques is video taping yourself. That way you can see first hand what types of signals you are demonstrating. By watching yourself you can also alter what you do to display more positive and appropriate behavior. Just remember in most situations your first impression is your last impression and you don’t want the first thing someone see’s of you to be a crazy eye or sour face 
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eq6_nonverbal_communication.htm
Your post definitely made me recognize the fact that I use nonverbals all the time and don’t even notice it! I am extremely expressive with my face, and roll my eyes entirely too much. I often don’t even realize it until someone comments on it. I think it is so unattractive and is a bad habit that I need to fix, especially once I start going on interviews soon. On the other hand, I think I can use my knowledge of nonverbals to help me on an interview or working with people. I am pretty good at guessing people’s personalities, and working in public relations, it is important to be good with people. When I am on Skype, I definitely notice how funny my nonverbals are! Do I really look like that? Videotaping yourself is definitely a good tool for practicing good habits.
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