Your body language is reflecting the thoughts and feelings going on in your mind.  But at the same time, the thoughts and feelings you have are influenced by the messages your brain gets from your body language.  This means that by adopting positive body language you can actually become a more confident man. 

Even if you don’t feel confident, practicing confident body language can increase your self-esteem and make you feel better about yourself. Below are ten tips to increase your confidence through body language.

• Make eye contact.

 Appear confident by maintaining eye contact in social interactions. Good eye contact shows others that you are interested and comfortable.

Look the other person in the eye about 60% of the time. If direct eye contact feels too intimidating, start by looking at a spot close to the person’s eyes.

• Lean forward. 

When you are in a conversation, leaning forward indicates interest and attention. While it can be tempting to maintain distance if you are socially anxious, doing so conveys the message that you are disinterested or aloof.

• Stand up straight.

 Don’t slouch! Those with social anxiety tend to try and take up as little space as possible, which can mean sitting slumped over in a protective pose. Straighten your back, pull your shoulders away from your ears, and uncross your arms and legs.

• Keep your chin up. 

Do you look at the ground when you are walking? Is your head always down? Instead, walk with your head up and your eyes looking forward. It might feel unnatural at first, but eventually, you will become used to this more confident pose.

• Don’t fidget.

 Fidgeting is an obvious sign of anxiety and nervousness. Appear more confident by keeping fidgeting to a minimum. Nervous movements draw attention away from what you are saying and make it hard for others to focus on your message.

• Avoid your pockets.

 Though it can be tempting to shove your hands in your pockets, particularly if you are worried about them shaking, doing so makes you look more anxious and less confident. Keep your hands out of your pockets to look more self-assured.

• Slow your movements. 

Fast movements make you appear more anxious. Everything from hand gestures to your walking stride can make a difference; slow down and notice how you feel more confident.

• Watch your hands.

 Be careful about touching your face or your neck; both are indications that you feel anxious, nervous, or afraid. Confident people don’t make these types of movements.