How to Tell if Someone is Nervous

Body language is a powerful tool that can help us understand others. Knowing how to read body language is a helpfu in a number of social situations. One of the many ways understanding body language can help you is if you want to know how to tell if someone is nervous.

Being nervous is usually an emotional response to stressful situations. Events that can cause nerves or anxiety can include giving a speech or meeting a new person.http://www.stresscenter.com/mwc/stress-symptoms/signs-of-nervousness.html Most of us have felt nervous at one point or another. Knowing the unconscious signs that others give off when they are nervous can help you know when someone is experiencing anxiety, allowing you to better understand their actions. This page, along with the advice of Dr. Lillian Glass, will serve as a guide to these signs.

Nervous Body Language

Body language can be a major indicator of whether or not someone is nervous. Since body language can account for 50% or more of what someone is communicating, it is often worthwhile to be able to read someone“s body language as a method of determining how they really feel.http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/body_language.htm

A stance of someone who is nervous may appear closed or defensive. This is because they are subconsciously guarding themselves. A common stance is to stand with the arms crossed over the genitals. This pushes the shoulders forward, causing their body to appear smaller and weaker. If you observe a person with this stance, they are probably nervous.http://www.marcandangel.com/2008/07/07/25-acts-of-body-language-to-avoid/

Another common posture of someone who is nervous is sitting on the edge of their chair. This may be accompanied by nervous foot tapping. Shifting weight from foot to foot fequently also can indicate someone who is physically or mentally uncomfortable in the situation.http://www.marcandangel.com/2008/07/07/25-acts-of-body-language-to-avoid/ As Dr. Lillian Glass notes, constant movement is also a sign that someone is nervous.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAVb8F1-2Ck

Nervous Habits: Hands

There are many habits people may take on when they are nervous. One of the main areas to look at when trying to spot these tell-tale habits are the hands.

Many signs of nervousness can be displayed through the hands. People who are nervous will often fidget or bite their fingernails.http://www.stresscenter.com/mwc/stress-symptoms/signs-of-nervousness.html Finger tapping or playing with small obects can also be a sign of stress and anxiety. While you are watching a persons hands, also see if they ever wipe them on their clothes or with other objects. Sweaty hands are another tell-tale sign of anxiety.http://www.marcandangel.com/2008/07/07/25-acts-of-body-language-to-avoid/

Nervous Habits: Face

You can also look for signs of anxiety in a person“s face. When a person is nervous, they often experience dry mouth.http://www.stresscenter.com/mwc/stress-symptoms/signs-of-nervousness.html As Dr. Lillian Glass explains, this can lead to them licking or smacking their lips.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAVb8F1-2Ck People are also known to begin blinking much more rapidly when they are nervous. Since most people try to make eye-contact while in conversation, this is one of the simplest signs of anxiety to observe.http://www.marcandangel.com/2008/07/07/25-acts-of-body-language-to-avoid/

By simply being more cognizant of easily observed signs, you will be on your way to easily spotting when someone is nervous in no time.

How to Tell if Someone is Nervous Answers

  • Search for Questions

    Preview

References

Learn something new with our FREE educational apps!

Private lessons in the comfort of your own home. Get back in shape or finally pick up a guitar with our great experts guiding you the whole way!
Learn Guitar
Learn Hip Hop
Learn Pilates

Upload a picture from your computer

You can upload a JPG, GIF or PNG file. Do not upload pictures containing celebrities, nudity, artwork, or copyrighted images).

Specify an image URL

Image URL

Search

Type the image URL in the text field above and click 'Search'. Large images may take awhile to process.

Please remember that using others' images on the web without their permission is not very nice.

Crop this picture

Just click and drag on the image below to start cropping! Use the handles on the crop box to resize it.

Preview

Upload a picture from your computer

You can upload a JPG, GIF or PNG file. Do not upload pictures containing celebrities, nudity, artwork, or copyrighted images).

Specify an image URL

Image URL

Search

Type the image URL in the text field above and click 'Search'. Large images may take awhile to process.

Please remember that using others' images on the web without their permission is not very nice.

Crop this picture

Just click and drag on the image below to start cropping! Use the handles on the crop box to resize it.

Small Medium Large Full

Preview

Hotkeys