Dr. Shad\u00e9 Zahrai, PhD, explains how neck flexion can impact confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Confidence<\/a> is not always easy to have in social settings, especially when meeting new people<\/a>. In 2021, a YouGov study<\/a> found that 37% of Americans reported feeling \u201cnot very confident\u201d in new social groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But there may be a simple gesture that can help you appear<\/em> more confident<\/a>. During a recent episode of communication expert Jefferson Fisher\u2019s<\/a> podcast, he sat down with Dr. Shad\u00e9 Zahrai, PhD,<\/a> a confidence expert and author of Big Trust: Rewire Self-Doubt, Find Your Confidence, and Fuel Success<\/a><\/em>. Dr. Zahrai shared a body language gesture that can help indicate if a person is confident or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She explains the tell-tale sign is in the upper body. \u201cThe distance between the chin and your chest,\u201d she tells Fisher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Zahrai explains why the distance between the chest and chin can indicate confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re slouching, when you\u2019re withdrawing, when you feel insecure, yeah sure shoulders go\u2026but it\u2019s also your head that drops,\u201d she says, gesturing her head to tilt downwards. \u201cSo if you can just think, \u2018Okay, what is the distance between my chin and my chest, and how do I elongate it? Not by looking at the ceiling, but in a natural state, you will naturally feel more empowered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Zahrai suggests that this also builds a sense of trustworthiness between others that will encourage connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd you will naturally convey more of that big trust energy that we\u2019re seeking,\u201d she adds. \u201cThe idea is when you\u2019re showing up as the person you want to be, people then respond to that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She notes that it has a snowball effect and can feel contagious to people you interact with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey respond more positively to that, which then makes you feel, \u2018Maybe I really do deserve this. Maybe I do have a voice that is valued\u2019,\u201d she shares. \u201cAnd then you show up more like that, and then they respond. So we almost create our environment based on how we choose to show up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Dr. Zahrai, this gesture is a term called \u201cneck flexion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The source for Dr. Zahrai\u2019s confidence body language suggestion comes from a 2025 study<\/a> published in the journal Psychophysiology<\/em>. Researchers found a direct correlation with neck flexion (the act of lowering the head) to negative impacts on feelings of power (i.e. confidence) as well as lower moods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Zahrai expanded on this during another podcast appearance<\/a> delving into neck flexion research, where she explained that it \u201cleads us to feel more insecure, more doubtful of our ourselves. All we need to do is lengthen this distance right here [as she\u2019s signaling with her fingers between her chin and chest], and we will start to feel more powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Body language may be one aspect to feeling more confident, but these are a few more tips from the American Psychological Association (APA) that may help boost your confidence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research<\/a> supports self-affirmations for better personal and social well-being. You can do this by reflecting on your core values, identity, and positive traits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
What confident body language looks like<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is neck flexion?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to feel confident besides body language<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Try self-affirmations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Celebrate your successes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n