7 Body Language Tips to Boost Your Confidence and Elegance

Let’s be honest: instantly commanding a room upon walking into it is a superpower, correct? With that said, it’s completely attainable and surprisingly easier than you may think. One study conducted at Princeton University shows people make first impressions within a tenth of a second. That’s almost no time at all! In addition, 55% of that impression is based purely off body language, not words. So, if you are going to a job interview, a first date, or even want to appear poised while getting a cup of coffee, mastering a couple of tricks will enable you to look confident, in control, and elegant.

While I’m not an etiquette specialist, I am a keen observer. I have seen people’s self-image and others’ perception of them change simply because of an alteration in posture or a particular style of gesture. Everything about my first major presentation makes me laugh. I was a nervous wreck before I learned that I simply needed to pause and breathe before engaging the spotlight. Now, I am ready to show my face in public. Personally, I treat that as a game changer. In this post I will provide seven practical, easy to use, body language tricks that are available to you, regardless of your fund, way of life, or experience, to help you, as a woman, exude quiet charm and confidence. Looking forward to owning the entrance of every room? Let’s get started.

1. Look, Walk In

I have equally rushed into spaces where I felt drawing close to the audience. Do not feel embarrassed for trying to rush through. In fact, when under pressure, it is relieving to sprint towards the exit. Here is something that has always worked for me: pause, look then walk in. Just before a meeting, an informal gathering or a session at the coffee shop try: take a breath, pause and cash the room. Clearly see yourself stepping in with swagger. For a split second, achieving this calm pull leaves the nervous self-be hind and encourages purposeful collectiveness at the same time.

Give this a shot at home before stepping into your living room like it’s a boardroom. While it may initially come across as silly, this little exercise serves as a subtle reset for one’s confidence. Moreover, it’s so discreet that no one will catch you in the act, but they will see the confidence radiating from your posture.

2. Feet to Relaxation

Now, let’s discuss feet because yes, even they can be telling secrets about you. How you position your feet while standing and having a conversation can either scream I’m nervous or whisper, I’m totally at ease. The small change of shifting your weight onto one foot while angling the other outwards towards 45 degrees does the trick. This will help relieve your posture, which helps in looking effortlessly confident.

At a networking event once, I saw a woman who seems to be completely comfortable but was standing with both feet elegantly turned outward. I attempted her trick and all of a sudden, I felt less like I was restraining myself and ready to bolt. Not to mention, this is a go-to pose for models on the runway so you’re instantly channelling fashion week vibes. Next time you’re at a party or meeting a client and engaging in conversation, give this a try.

3. Show Your Wrists and Palms

Would reveal your wrists and hold your palms facing up? Believe it or not that is a universal sign for ‘I am trustworthy and calm’ Hence explaining why confit dent negotiators pop open their sleeves during a deal, it shows ease. When in a conversation, let your hands rest freely in an upward positioning.

Giving off the impression of being relaxed.

Having the I agree with you approach.

Trust me when I say looking relaxed helps form a positive disposition.

During meetings I would grip my coffee mug for dear life but once I stopped doing so placed my hands flat on the table, arms relaxed I felt people accept me faster. Looking less approachable and seemed to project a more confident aura.

4. Use Hand Gestures Wisely

Stilted arms are the easiest way to make you look like a robot and flapping around all over the place gives off a feeling of not being in control. Noticing that using one to two hand positions below your chest increase control too without looking out of control. Hands to chest get some space around your mid belly up.

Use them to direct actions and get people focused on you. Make sure that the palms of your hands stay up and slightly above chest height for savvy movements that don’t seem relaxed, commanding take charge without being over the line. non supportive gestures below mid belly feels deceptive.

I remember the struggle during a group presentation when my hands were at my sides, and I was losing attention. Now, gentle gestures to highlight crucial factors, and now every person in the room is captivated. Inspiration can come from anywhere and that includes Instagram reels like this one where public speaker upload their reels. But don’t go too far, keep it simple, not as if you’re directing a band.

5. Move Slower

Have you ever thought how graceful people move as though in a slow film? It’s not on purpose. Slow head movements, eye movements, and sound anticipation make a person appear much more in control than they actually are. For instance: for someone calling you by your name, look toward the sound first before rotating your head. It is a small action, but it screams confidence.

After watching a colleague elegantly deal with a wretched meeting, I took this up. It is not easy to achieve, but after mastering it, life will feel like you are flowing through it. Do it in a public setting and observe the shift in how people respond to the controlled aura.

6. Master the Art of Eye Contact 

As we know, ‘the eyes are the window to the soul.’ While making eye contact with someone can feel like cartoonish fighting of cartoonish intensity, avoiding it altogether can make you come off as timid, which is not the goal either. The best way to approach this is to find the ideal middle ground. If you’re having a one-on-one conversation, a gentle “looking” at the areas between their eyebrow can do the trick. In a group discussion, pick different sections of the room and alternate looking at them so everyone feels acknowledged. 

I personally struggled with this during interviews until [insert friend/family member here] practiced with me. I’d recommend starting small if you’re shy. Try looking into the person’s eyes for a few seconds and, then look away in a natural manner. Starting to think about this will eventually make you realise that the more you try, the better you become at it. Want an example? Videos with the hashtag #EyeContactTips have been shared all over Instagram. 

7. Do Not Move Your Hands When the Conversation is Off You  

When the conversation topic is off you, your hands can take canter stage which may not be the best idea. As we mentioned, talking about your anxiety can manifest through fidgeting with hair, jewellery, or even your phone. Try instead looking calm by placing your hands palm down on your lap. Hands resting in your lap make you appear calm, and composure puts you canter. Add to this that only your thumbs are touching and you are calm everywhere, helping you keep your hands still.

I remember a time where I caught myself fidgeting with my necklace on a client call, and it was distracting even over Zoom. Now, I make a point to relax my hands, and it’s incredible how much more self-assured I am feeling. Try this technique while sitting on the couch; it becomes second nature sooner than you think.

The seven strategies together are like a portable toolkit for confidence. It’s perfectly okay not to try all of them at once. You can set realistic goals by focusing on just a couple for the week, maybe ‘foot position’ or the ‘pause technique.’ Test them out and see how they work. Body language in itself is wonderful because it’s unconditional, adaptable, and accessible whether you’re at a swanky party or grocery shopping.

Use these suggestions on a smaller scale to personalize them to your liking. With time, you will effortlessly enter spaces with quiet poise that’s so captivating—not because you’re trying hard, but simply because you can. So go on and dominate everything you do, because rest assured, you can!