Keys to understanding the body language of fear

The body language of fear manifests itself, first of all, in facial microexpressions. Slightly raised eyebrows, a tense brow, and a half-open mouth are unmistakable signs that fear is within a person.

Although feeling fear is normal and perfectly legitimate, there are situations in which expressing it does not favor our interests. A job interview, for example, or a public exhibition or a trial. Unfortunately, or fortunately, There is a body language of fear that often tells what is happening inside us..

Although there is no dictionary To interpret the body language of fear, people are equipped with a kind of radar that allows us to read its signals.. This is not a rational interpretation at all. We simply sense that someone is afraid and, unconsciously, we act accordingly. That is, we distrust those who distrust themselves or we have a feeling of greater power when perceiving vulnerability in the other.

It is important to know the body language of fear. If we know it, perhaps we can have more control over it. In principle, we obtain two benefits: one, capturing the fear of others, even if they do not express it openly. And two, manage our own attitude and posture to not allow fear to be projected, if we do not want it. These are the keys to that language.

“The timid are afraid before danger; the cowards, during it; the brave, after”.

-Jean Paul-

Microexpressions on the face

The face is perhaps the most talkative element in the body language of fear. It is in the face where fear is first reflected. Sometimes the gesture is very obvious, other times hidden, but it occurs. On the other hand, whether it is more or less manifest depends in many cases on the intensity of the emotion.

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Anyway, there are gestures which are quite easy to identify. The first is to raise the eyebrows a little, while at the same time the brow remains tense.. If fear follows surprise, the movement of the eyebrows will be more evident. If it is a situation that generates fear, but in which there is no surprise, tension between the eyebrows will prevail.

The lower eyelids usually remain tense. . Likewise, the mouth will open a little, but the corners of the lips will be drawn back. In general, it is as if the entire face suffers a backward contraction. As if there was something that was pulling on the face, while there was a resistance to that pull.

The posture and body language of fear

Posture is also a very important element in the body language of fear. In general, when we are scared our muscles tense and we adopt positions in which our vital organs are protected. The first thing that happens is that we slouch or slouch (we take up less space). This is an expression that denotes a desire to take refuge in ourselves to protect ourselves.

Insecurity, nervousness and anxiety They are manifestations of fear. These three states usually reveal themselves when rapid or compulsive movements are made.. A person who has a hard time staying still is a person who is not calm. When the fear is very strong, it is likely that the movements will also be more abrupt or clumsy.

In the same way, The usual thing is for someone who is afraid to cross their arms. This gesture is a sign of defense. The person creates a kind of barrier that protects them and separates them from the world. This barrier can also be a manifestation of the desire to preserve what is one’s own, rejecting what is foreign.

Other informers

There are other gestures and expressions that are part of the body language of fear. For example, the look. Nervousness makes one look evasive, while increasing the frequency of blinking. But If what a person feels is fear, pure and simple, they usually keep their eyes still, keep their gaze fixed and barely blink.. It is a mechanism that is activated by fear. Your objective is not to lose sight of what is threatening.

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On the other hand, hands are also part of communication and express emotions. They make no exception with fear. When a person feels fear, they usually twist and clasp their hands. It is also common for fists to be clenched or hide your hands. Not showing the limbs is an instinctive act of defense, since they are a common target of attacks in the animal world.

In general, When a person is scared, they tend to have short, rapid, and erratic movements. And when someone is frankly terrified, the opposite happens: they become paralyzed. In the first case, the person does not stay still; In the second, she remains very static, with her body shrunken and leaning back. This is basically how the body language of fear operates.