Detecting signs of tension and body language

Learning to recognize signs of tension is a crucial conflict management skill, as it allows you to proactively intervene before a disagreement escalates into a destructive escalation.

These signals are usually manifested through body language, which often reveals emotions and feelings that are not expressed verbally.

Types of stress signals

There are several ways the body communicates stress and discomfort. The following are the most common.

Physical distance: One obvious sign of stress is body movement.

A person may lean back or away to avoid conflict, or conversely, may lean forward in a sign of aggression.

Animated or repressed gestures: Gestures may become more exaggerated or, conversely, more repressed, which depends on the person and the situation.

Facial touching: Touching the face or rubbing the eyes may be a sign of disbelief or discomfort.

This gesture may indicate that the person is trying to "hide" the truth or that they are not comfortable with what they are hearing.

Stress and worry: A frown indicates stress, and rubbing the frown means the person is trying to process a difficult or stressful idea.

Insecurity and lack of confidence: Touching the neck, adjusting a necklace or playing with bracelets and cuffs are gestures that demonstrate a lack of confidence or insecurity.

The lower these gestures are performed, the deeper the feeling of insecurity.

Extreme Distress: Signs of extreme distress manifest as a "body hugging" posture, rubbing palms or thighs, indicating that the person is very uncomfortable and that conflict may be just around the corner.

The importance of early intervention

Recognizing these signs allows you to act early, which gives you an advantage to intervene before the conflict escalates.

Early intervention not only prevents emotions from escalating, but also fosters an environment of trust, as people see that they are being paid attention to and that their concerns are being taken seriously.

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