Teens: How do you learn to control your anger? Activity 24

Source: The Anger workbook for Teens by (Raychelle Cassada Lohmann, MS) 

Activity 24:

Words are not only the way people communicate with each other. In fact, studies have shown that most communication takes place without any words at all!

The idea that you can communicate without speaking might seem strange, but it’s true. Most communication between people takes place without word; it is based on body language. Your body language, also called nonverbal communication, is made up of your gestures, facial expressions, posture and even your tone of voice. This language let others know what you are feeling.

Look at some of the ways people use body language to express their negative feelings:

Rolling their eyes, plugging their ears, crossing their arms, Glaring, Sighing, Clenching their fists, biting their lips, gritting their teeth, Tapping their feet impatiently, pointing a finger at someone.

Not all body language communicates negative feelings. Here are some of the examples of positive messages:

Waving hello, Smiling, Hugging, Blowing a kiss, patting someone on the back, Clapping, Giving someone a thumbs-up, nodding in agreement.

For an entire day, notice how people communicate without words. Write down the body language you observe, the situation it occurs in, and what message you think it sends.