Connecting body language and security
Consciously or not, people are constantly using their body to communicate their internal feelings and intentions. Noticing and understanding body language is therefore an great way of improving your personal safety and security.
There are two primary benefits to studying body language. First, you can better understand someone else’s internal emotional state and even anticipate their actions. Second, you can use your own body language to better communicate your intentions and de-escalate potentially hostile situations.
Key body language indicators
There are three foundational areas to look at when trying to understand what someone is communicating through their body language. First, look at their posture – the way they are holding their body. Second, look at their hands – both the visibility and movement of them. Third, look at their eyes – notice what they are giving attention to. Correctly interpreting someone’s body language can be largely be done by focusing on what they are communicating in these three areas.
Indicator 1: Posture
A person’s overall posture and body position is often the easiest way to anticipate their internal state and how they intend to act in the very near future.
- Are they sitting down or standing up?
- Do they appear to be relaxed and unfocused on what is going on around them?
- Do they seem anxious or nervous; fidgeting in place?
- Are their shoulders hunched up, ready for action, or are they loose?
- Are they pacing up and down, or leaning against a wall?
A person’s body posture is a significant indicator of what they plan to do next. If someone is sitting down with their legs crossed, slouched in a chair, unaware of what is going on around them, it is highly unlikely they are about to do anything at all. However, if a person is standing up and tensed on the balls of their feet, they are highly likely to perform a sudden movement in the very near future.
Watching people move and interact in public is a great way to study and begin to learn how body language displays intent. Take some time to people watch and see what you can guess about people’s internal state based on their posture.
Indicator 2: Hands
A person’s hands are another reliable indicator of their current mental condition and potential for action. When someone is angry, they tend to make a fist or open and close their hands rapidly. If a person’s hands are hidden behind their back or in a coat, it is possible they are carrying something they don’t want seen.
It is always important to put all body language in context with the environment. Someone who keeps their hands in their pockets while outside in winter is not abnormal to the situation.
A person’s hands can either escalate or de-escalate a situation. Hands held chest high, palms facing out in a surrender position indicate compliance. But a poking or pointing finger indicates aggression.
Indicator 3: Eyes
It is said that the eyes are the window to the soul. When it comes to personal security, they certainly allow for highly effective communication – whether intentional or not. People tend to look at what they want or where they intend to go. So if you see a person intently staring at something, it indicates some sort of desire that they may or may not act on.
Making direct eye contact with someone can indicate confidence and/or aggression. Avoiding eye contact does the opposite – indicating submission or a lack of confidence. Bouncing the eyes – very brief eye contact then moving on – indicates awareness and acknowledgement of others without implying too strongly of the other extremes.
By watching how others use their eyes, you can strongly assume what they are currently interested in and even what they are feeling.
Besides adjusting your eye contact to communicate your own intentions, using your eyes to stay alert and pay attention to what is going on around you is one of the best ways of improving your personal security.
For a deeper dive into levels of mental and situational awareness, read this article on the Cooper Color Code.
Using body language to improve security
Once you understand how body language can communicate a person’s thoughts and intentions, and begin to notice it, you are able to utilize this knowledge to improve your own security. You will be able to better understand others and better portray yourself.
When someone else’s body language is overly aggressive and agitated, you can confidently assume that they are likely to act on those feelings. The safest course of action is to avoid those individuals to mitigate any potential harm to yourself or others. Alternatively, you can also use your own body language to communication both confidence and non-aggression in order to de-escalate potentially violent or stressful situations.
Caution: Always try to use multiple indicators when studying body language. Don’t only look at their eyes or suspect someone on hand placement alone. If one movement looks odd, be on the lookout for other body language indicators to try to form a more complete picture. And remember, not everyone acts on the feelings their body language may be displaying. The goal is to be aware and ready to act – which hopefully will be unnecessary. Be mindful of your own body language and do not escalate situations.
Using your own body language to project confidence can also improve your personal security by indicating that you are not an easy target for criminals. Make appropriate, short, eye contact so others know you see them, without appearing confrontational. Keep your hands both visible and free. Utilize body posture that communicates alertness and readiness to act – again without appearing confrontational or aggressive.
Next Steps:
Understanding body language is a great way to bolster your situational awareness. Read more about situational awareness HERE.
Using your own body language to express confidence and non-aggression to avoid being drawn into a conflict or being victimized is a part of becoming a hardened target. Learn more about reducing your likelihood of becoming a victim with target hardening strategies HERE.
