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TeresahRN
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Patients
Watch for these 5 subtle signs that may indicate your patient is in distress:
1. The “turtle effect”
The patient’s shoulders are one of the key indicators of weakness, insecurity and negative emotions. When the shoulders are rising toward the ears, they cause what is known in psychology as the “turtle effect,” and it’s a sure sign that the patient needs some kind of attention.
2. Hand wringing
Another universal sign that someone is stressed and concerned is hand wringing. Watch for white knuckles—if someone is clenching that tightly, they need something…and you’d better find out what it is.
3. The chin tuck
When we’re concerned for ourselves, or confidence is low, the chin will tuck in—forcing the nose down. This can be a sign of emotional or physical distress, so again, we’d better check.
4. Simultaneous reaction
Watch for the timing of protective body language such as crossing of arms or looking away. If these body cues coincide while you’re asking them a question, there may be something they’re hiding or uncomfortable discussing.
5. Eye Contact
If your patient avoids or will not hold your gaze, he or she may be feeling anxious.
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TeresahRN
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Coworkers
What is your coworker’s body language telling you? Avoid head games and gain insight into how your fellow nurse is feeling with these 3 tips:
When a coworker is leaning back with the hands interlaced behind the head, some people feel intimidated. This gesture, quite common in many hospitals and organizations, is typically indicative of comfort and dominance, and should be no reason for concern.
2. Finger pointing
On the negative side, the act of finger pointing is one of the most offensive gestures around the globe. It indicates most likely that your fellow nurse is at the end of their emotional rope. It’s a signal that crisis management techniques might be needed soon.
3. Erratic voice pitch
While a normal, lively conversation is characterized by fluctuation and variance in voice pitch, when a coworker’s speech rate and loudness all of a sudden increase, this could be a signal of nervousness and anxiety. This may be a sign that they need an assist.
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TeresahRN
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Manager
Feeling bullied or intimidated by your manager? Find out what these 3 nonverbal cues really mean:
1. Spread fingertips planted on a table
A significant territorial display of confidence and authority is when a person plants their fingertips spread apart on a table or other surface.
2. Spread-out arms
Arms spread out over a chair also point to feelings of comfort and confidence. These displays, when used or recognized appropriately, greatly enhance communication effectiveness.
3. Arms akimbo
Another widespread territorial behavior used to assert dominance and project an image of authority is known as arms akimbo. This nonverbal behavior involves a person extending both arms out in a V-pattern with the hands placed (thumbs backwards) on the hips. This is an especially common display among military or police officers, and they use it a lot when talking to each other.
For women, this nonverbal technique can have particular utility. It’s an effective way for anyone, especially a woman, to demonstrate that she is standing her ground, confident and unwilling to be bullied. A more inquisitive and less authoritarian variety of this display is when the fingers are pointing forward.
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TeresahRN
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Patient’s family members
When communicating with a patient’s family members, watch for these subtle body angles that speak volumes:
1. Leaning away
We lean away from things and people we don’t like, even from coworkers, when they say things we don’t agree with. If a nurse notices this behavior, it’s a sure sign that some part of the communication needs to be clarified.
2. Crossing of arms
A sudden crossing of the arms during a conversation could also indicate discomfort. Reading all these signs correctly could greatly improve the interaction and the customer satisfaction—in this case, the patient’s family members.
3. Intense eye contact
While direct and prolonged eye contact typically signifies openness and engagement, an exaggerated ‘hard’ stare’ is a sign that a patient’s family member may be feeling hostile.
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TeresahRN
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Nonverbal cues in different culture
A medical setting is often the crossroads for people of different cultures and backgrounds. Body language that may be normal for Westerners may be seen as rude or hostile to people from other parts of the world
1. Handshake
The handshake is regarded as the universal gesture of greeting. However, even this simple gesture takes on its own nuance in different cultures. For instance, in America and Canada, and Germany it’s custom to give a firm handshake while the French prefer a soft, quick handshake. The Japanese couple their handshake with a bow. When greeting a person from the Middle East, be sure to place the free hand on the forearm of the other person when shaking their hand.
2. Bowing
Bowing also common as a form of greeting in Asian cultures. East Asians such as the Japanese bow with their hands pressed to their sides. The depth of the bow signals the amount of respect you are paying to the person you greet. Other variations of the bow include the Pakistani ‘salaam’ – bowing with the palm of the right hand on the forehead. People from Cambodia and Laos bow with hands in front of their chests.
3. Hugging and kissing
A hospital or clinic is filled with hugging and kissing every day as families greet and comfort their loved ones, and often times to show gratitude towards the nurses and staff. The customary hug and kiss can differ from culture to culture. For instance, men in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Eastern Europe and Middle East exchange kisses on the cheek. Hawaiians include an exchange of breath called the “aha” while hugging. The Maori have a gretting called ‘hongi’ which includes the pressing together of noses.
4. Eye contact
Westerners will make eye contact to show engagement while speaking. But what do the Japanese and Middle Easterners think of eye contact? The Japanese regard direct eye contact as invasive and may find it rude. In the Middle East conversely, intense eye contact may be a way for a person to suss out the other’s intentions and thus one may come in close to see the eyes more clearly.
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TeresahRN
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Always remember that individuals have their own way of using body language that may or may not be in line with their background or culture. Always ask questions to avoid misunderstanding and confusion and always, always show respect for cultural traditions and customs.
1. Posture Matching
The adoption (or imitation) of common bodily postures (identified as posture matching) by people in pairs or groups tends to enhance rapport between/ among the people, because it signals that they are open to and with one another. The adoption of noncongruent postures tends to indicate attitudinal and perceptual differences or relationship distance.
2. Leaning forward
When people lean forward toward each other, it’s a sign of high comfort and agreement. If a nurse initiates this, it’s likely that the family members or coworkers will feel a little more at ease, and will respond in a more positive and cooperative manner.
3. Head Nodding
Head nodding while listening to patients and family members affords positive reinforcement. When a listening nurse nods when a patient or family speaks it shows they are following along and ‘with you.’
Typically one can’t fake body language as well as one can fake written or spoken language. Reading nonverbal signals and paying attention to your own nonverbal cues can often be critical for a nurse’s success and effectiveness.
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