Positive emotions reduce stress, improve mood, and increase our memory and awareness. For example: happiness, surprise, sympathy, kindness, love, courage, confidence, inspiration, relief, etc. [4] X Trustworthy Source TeensHealth Website run by Nemours, a nonprofit children’s healthcare system, for the purpose of providing teens and young adults with specific health resources Go to source Negative emotions increase stress, allow us to recognize threats, and deal with challenging situations. Examples are: sadness, fear, anger, contempt, disgust, etc. [5] X Research source [6] X Research source The two most important regions of the brain for expressing and understanding emotion are the amygdala complex and the prefrontal cortex. Damage to either of these areas can impair someone’s ability to read emotion. [7] X Trustworthy Source Library of Congress Official library of the U. S. and main research institution for Congress and the American public Go to source
Stand far enough away so you can see their face, but have a normal conversation. About 1 1⁄2 to 4 feet (0. 5 to 1. 2 m) is a good distance to keep between yourself and the other person. [9] X Research source
Similar tones of voice can express different emotions. For example, a tense/harsh voice is associated with anger and hostility as well as confidence and interest. A whispery or soft tone of voice can be associated with a range of emotions. These include relaxation, contentment, intimacy, friendship, sadness, and boredom. A soft, breathy voice (where the person takes loud breathes while they talk) is associated with fear, shyness, and nervousness.
Recognize emotion in others by noting your reaction. Often, we mirror the emotions of others in our facial expression, tone of voice, and behavior. [14] X Research source Emotions are contagious. [15] X Research source We’re affected by emotion in other people. Our mood and behavior changes depending on how someone else is feeling. This is why if someone smiles at you, you are likely to smile back![16] X Research source
Physical symptoms of mental illness and depression include: headaches or migraines, low energy, stomach problems, back pain, changes in eating habits, and alcohol or drug use. [18] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Mental and emotional symptoms of mental illness and depression include: confusion, sudden and extreme mood changes, isolation from friends, unable to cope with everyday problems, and increased anger or violence.
Put down your phone and step away from your computer. Improve your social skills and ability to read nonverbal cues by engaging in face-to-face communication on a daily basis. [22] X Research source Don’t back away from uncomfortable or negative feelings in yourself or others. These are important and necessary. If you feel sad or angry, step back and think about why you are feeling this way. Then, try to counteract the negative emotion with three positive ones. Listen to your body – a knot in your stomach may be stress, or a fluttering heart may be attraction or excitement. Keep a journal or record of your thoughts and feelings. Several times a week, stop and write down what you are doing and how you are feeling. You can include other information such as how much sleep you had the night before, or what you had for breakfast. Ask a close friend or family member – someone you know and trust – to read your emotions. Sometimes other people know us better than ourselves. Their answers can be surprising and insightful.
Don’t be fooled! People can manipulate their facial expressions to appear to look happy when they are angry or sad – actors do this convincingly all the time. Look for other cues as to how they really feel. Note their body language or tone of voice. Make eye contact – open, penetrating “cold” eyes suggests a different emotional state than a “warm” smile.
Anger and resentment can be towards someone or about something. [26] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source When we are angry, we pull our eyebrows down, purse our lips (tighten them and suck-in the margins), and bulge our eyes. In contrast to anger, expressing dislike, disgust, or disdain for someone or something is associated with a raised upper lip and loose lower lip. We also pull our eyebrows down, but not as much as when we are angry.
When we are afraid, we also pull our eyebrows in (towards the nose), our pupils dilate (get bigger) to take in more light, and our mouth is open. We also tense up the muscles in our face, especially around our mouth and cheek. When we are surprised, we tend to arch our eyebrows and drop our jaw. Our mouth is open, and the muscles around it are relaxed and loose. [28] X Research source
Moving around and standing up straight shows they feel open and comfortable. However, too much movement (e. g. energetic arm waving) combined with a loud voice could mean they are excited or angry. Hunched shoulders, a quiet voice, and crossed arms are a sign they feel uncomfortable or nervous. If they refuse to make eye contact with you, it could mean they are upset or feel guilty. [30] X Research source Keep in mind that culture, social situations, and individual personalities influence how we express emotion through body language. [31] X Expert Source Dan KleinTheater & Performance Studies Lecturer Expert Interview. 22 March 2019. In this sense, facial expressions are considered more universal and reliable. For example, Italians tend to move their arms when they speak, but this could be considered impolite in Japan. Or, making eye contact is a sign of respect in the United States and Europe, but is considered rude or aggressive in some Asian and African cultures.
Shoulders and torso: hunching the shoulders and leaning forward is associated with intense anger. In contrast, leaning backwards can be a sign of panic or fear. If they stand up straight with their shoulders back and head held high, this is a sign they feel confident. However, if they hunch their shoulders or slump forward, then they are looking for sympathy, are bored, or feel nervous. [34] X Research source Arms and hands: If they are sad, they will likely place their arms next to their side and put their hands in their pocket. If they’re annoyed or irritated, they might place one arm on their side or hips, and gesture with their opposite hand (pointing or flat palm). If they feel indifferent or don’t care, then they will place their hands behind their back. Legs and feet: If they shake their legs or taps their toes, then they might be anxious, annoyed, or in a hurry. [35] X Research source However, some people naturally shake their legs while sitting without it meaning anything.
When men are upset or stressed, they tend to show signs of aggression, frustration, and anger. In contrast, women might become more talkative or seek social support. Depending on their personality, some men and women become more withdrawn and quiet when experiencing negative emotions. [37] X Research source
Try speaking to them alone rather than in a group. They may be more open and truthful about their emotions if they are with a trusted friend or family member. [40] X Research source
