The 9 meanings of crossing your arms

Surely you imagine some, but do you know all the meanings of crossing your arms? And, even more important, would you know how to choose the right one at all times?

Crossing our arms is a gesture that we tend to do constantly. But have you ever wondered why we do it or what it means? Surely you have heard that this body expression conveys anger, insecurity or rejection to others. But the truth is that Its meaning will depend on the context in which we find ourselves.

Let’s see then the possible meanings of crossing your arms.

The 9 meanings of crossing your arms

Depending on the situation, a person with their arms crossed may be conveying certain information. Let’s delve into the most common ones.

1. The self-hug

We cross arms many more times in public than in private. You know why? The simplest meaning of this gesture in situations where you are exposing yourself to more people is that of a hug for yourself, since provides you with comfort at any time.

With that, Your intention is not to alienate anyone, since you are only looking for a little comfort. I encourage you to do the test when you see a person placed in this position and ask him if he feels comfortable. Self-hugging is one of the automatic outlets we adopt to try to feel comfortable.

2. Cross your arms to reduce stress

When we feel stressed, the act of crossing our arms It’s a great way to give your hands a comforting pat. and tranquility in a very hidden way.

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Feeling these pats calms and reassures us. It’s similar to what we feel when we rub our hands.. In this case it has nothing to do with blockages or comfort, but with anxiety.

How can you identify it? We can perceive it quickly: It is a movement of a few seconds that implies a great emotional charge . Our body receives the message of tranquility from the other person who is carrying it out.

3. Warm up

Many times we may be thinking that the person who has his arms crossed before us does not agree with what we think, what we say, etc. But Sometimes the simplest explanation is the correct one: he is cold.

When we cross our arms because of the cold, we tend to tense our shoulders and upper back. People not only cross their arms, they also shrug their shoulders and they keep them tense as a way to generate and maintain heat.

4. Hide insecurity

Women who feel insecure and need to protect themselves cross their arms so as not to look too exposed. At the same time, People who feel uncomfortable or threatened by others will make this gesture as a sign of defense.

This type of hug is perceived since the shoulders do not rise but are oriented forward and the body slouches a little.

5. Extreme fear

Crossing your arms can mean that the person is feeling extreme fear. Great worry causes us to cross our arms over our chest to protect our internal organs.which means vital protection.

This type of hug is accompanied by manipulative gestures: touching the face and neck, tightening the lips and micro expressions of fear.

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6. Self-control

Many times we cross our arms when we feel angry or upset. and, in this case, this gesture is a way of containing ourselves. A clear example of this type of “self-hug” is with children when we ask them to do something they do not want to do.

With this gesture We also allow ourselves to communicate disappointment without having to say any words.. In our case, adults do it when we feel frustrated to control ourselves at that moment, not because we want to distance people or put up a barrier.

7. Transmit power

Do you know how to transmit power with non-verbal language? Using a pose where we place the elbows outward and where Crossing your arms is a strong demonstration of personality.

cross our arms makes your ribcage look bigger and more robust. You can identify it when you do it on the chest rather than on the solar plexus.

8. Cross our arms to isolate ourselves

This is the most common meaning and the one we most associate with this gesture. But crossing your arms wanting to express this emotional need also serves to momentarily withdraw into an introspective state. Thus we create a barrier, both physical and psychological, between the person performing the gesture and the rest.

In this case, It is common for the person to have their arms crossed over their chest. and it usually occurs among strangers when they participate in public gatherings or in other places where people feel unsafe.

A person who crosses his arms may want to seek isolation, but he may also be cold; in the first case, a hug may not be the most appropriate and in the second it may be.

9. Specular response

Finally, it is possible that the act of crossing our arms appears as a mirror response to someone who is in the same position in front of us. That is to say, When we see two people, both with their arms crossed, they may feel empathically connected. and in the same emotional harmony.

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Finally, We cannot forget that each human being is unique and different. Obviously, for us this gesture can mean something perhaps important, but for another person it only remains in the search for comfort. Therefore, just because we use it to isolate ourselves does not mean that it will have an effect in 100% of cases.

That which, I encourage you to learn a little more about this great unknown to improve the quality of our relationships.