Gravity-Defying Behaviours: The body language of positive emotion
Nonverbal Signals of Emotion
My husband is finely attuned to my emotional state, picking up signals from none other than my big toes. When they point upwards it’s positive and when they point downwards it’s negative. One up, one down is mixed feelings.
What’s interesting is that often, he’s more attuned to my emotional state than I am, just because he noticed a change in my toe behaviour, while I’m wrapped up in whatever is affecting my emotional state–a movie, a conversation, etc.
Unless indulging in mindfulness activities, people are not usually paying attention to their ongoing emotional state, which changes from one moment to the next, based on what we are thinking and what our senses are perceiving. So while husband notices constant changes in the upward/downward movements of my big toes–my emotions–I remain oblivious.
Just in case you’re thinking he’s a toe stalking freak, this communication system between my husband and my big toes operates best when my feet are bare and on his lap. In other circumstances he barely notices them.
Toe-curling Definition: Making you feel extremely embarrassed and ashamed for someone else.
There’s some truth in the term ‘toe-curling’, but the nonverbal behaviour isn’t just about experiencing embarrassment and shame, it reflects other negative emotions too.
Gravity-Defying Behaviours
When we experience positive emotions, various parts of our body defy gravity and point upwards–our toes, thumbs and eyebrows, to name a few.
A good example of toes defying gravity can be seen in this short video featuring Sean L'Estrange MLA. As he turns to thank Jenny and her team, watch her toes raise, around 30 seconds into the clip, just after Sean says, "I absolutely commend you for that approach and thank you for your efforts".
Sean L'Estrange MLA Thanks Jenny and her Team
You can see another good example of gravity defying body language in this article, where Malcolm Turnbull defies gravity several times, elevating his body as he raises on his toes, each time he talks about positive outcomes.
Observing Body Language
Next time you feel positive emotions, take note of your toes and thumbs and see how they point upwards. Observing these gravity-defying behaviours in others is a good way of gauging how people feel about something when their words could be telling you otherwise.
Watch out for thumbs raising and falling during a conversation, in line with positive emotions and feelings of discomfort, for example, when an awkward question is asked. And when you greet someone and they flash their eyebrows at you, know they are pleased to see you.
The eyebrow flash is one gravity-defying behaviour that you can practise as a way of creating a good first impression and building rapport.
