National Body Language Day

National Body Language Day is observed on the first Friday of October and shines a spotlight on the importance of non-verbal communication. Do you know how to interpret others through gestures, facial expressions, or even a simple smile? Body language is a crucial part of communication and worth celebrating—join in to learn more!

History

National Body Language Day was founded in 2018 by international body language expert Blanca Cobb, founder of TruthBlazer LLC. Throughout her career, she has highlighted the importance of non-verbal cues and championed greater awareness of body language.

Body language is a form of non-verbal communication in which physical behaviors, rather than words, convey messages. Sometimes, words fall short—gestures and movements can make interactions much more memorable. In some situations, body language is the only way to communicate, such as when interacting with people who have certain disabilities.

Surprisingly, humans aren’t the only ones who rely on body language—animals are experts too! If you observe your pets closely, you’ll notice that their actions often speak louder than words.

Interesting Facts

• Each country has its own “comfort distance” for communication: in the U.S., it’s 45–120 cm; in Japan, just 25 cm.
• Of all facial expressions, the smile can be the most deceptive.
• People unconsciously mirror the behavior of others—studies show women do this more frequently than men.
• The UK is among the countries where physical contact in daily life is minimal.
• Micro gestures are difficult to fake and reveal genuine feelings, but they’re also very hard to spot.
• The “thumbs up” gesture has different meanings: in Greece, it’s considered a rude insult.

How to Take Part

Explore the fascinating world of body language by reading books or articles from leading experts. Try an experiment with friends—host a party where you communicate without words. Discuss interesting observations on social media, connect with others who are passionate about non-verbal communication, and keep developing your skills!

When is National Body Language Day in 2025?

National Body Language Day is observed on the first Friday in October each year.

Observations