5 Body Language Signs That Suggest a Relationship Is Built on Honesty

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on June 12, 2020. It has since been updated.

Whether we know it or not, our bodies say a lot. The way we hold our partner's hand can say "I love you" while sitting turned away from them can say "I'm mad at you." After all, this is a language on its own - body language. According to Psychology Today, it's a "silent orchestra" of micro-expressions (brief displays of emotion that an individual tries to conceal), hand gestures, and postures. 

And this language can reveal a lot about your relationship, especially if it's been built on honesty and transparency. It's surprisingly easy to spot if your partner is lying to you and Pamela Meyer, author of Liespotting, mentions that fake smiles and stiff upper bodies are just some of the cues, according to Life Hacker. So then what are the body language cues of a healthy and honest relationship?

1. Maintaining long eye contact with each other while blinking consistently

When they say that eyes are the window to the soul, they really mean it. You essentially bare your true feelings through your gaze and this can tell you whether the other person is lying or not. With your partner, if you or he maintain prolonged eye contact while blinking normally during a conversation, it's not only a sign that there is an attraction, but also that he's being honest with you. According to Psychologist World, if your partner keeps long eye contact without blinking, it's a sign that they're lying as it shows that they are over-aware of the messages they are sending. 

2. Leaning into each other when either of you is talking

When you lean into each other, there is a certain openness you are projecting. You are essentially telling your significant other that you trust them enough to let them into your personal space and be honest with them. And if he is doing that too, then you can be sure that he's feeling the same way. Couples therapist Terri Orbuch, Ph.D, confirms this fact and tells Women's Health Mag, “I feel close to you, I trust you, I want to be close to you. You’re leaning on someone you trust and may want to be comforted by.” It's also a sign of how much you truly like each other.

3. Turning body towards each other when you both are standing or sitting together

Turning your body towards your partner while you're sitting or standing indicates interest in what they're saying. That closeness indicates a vulnerability that you only have with them because you trust them. You like that feeling of warmth and safety, knowing that your partner will provide you with protection and stability. And this reaction is only amplified when he does this both in public and in private. You'll even notice that you both do it at the same time. This mirroring shows that you trust in your partner's behavior and you'll even realize that it's done unconsciously. 

4. Keeping open palms while gesturing

Jacob Kountz, marriage and family therapist trainee says that "research has found that showing the palms of our hands during conversation displays openness, honesty, and directness. Basically, the things most people search for in a strong relationship," according to Martha Stewart Weddings. "Moreover, it's also good to pay close attention to hand gestures while they are speaking—for instance, if they are using hand gestures while speaking and it doesn't seem exaggerated, chances are they are doing their best to be warm and direct with you," he added. 

5. Relaxing body when you're around each other

You only relax around those who are close to you and whom you trust. So when you are with your partner, if you find that both of you are relaxed when you are with each other, then you know that there is a sense of trust. With this level of trust, it becomes clear that both you and your partner are more willing to be honest with each other because there is a lack of judgment and a security in the knowledge that your vulnerabilities won't be used against you. 

References:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/body-language

https://lifehacker.com/how-to-read-body-language-to-reveal-the-underlying-trut-5852572

https://www.psychologistworld.com/body-language/eyes

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/g19131151/body-language-relationship/

https://www.marthastewartweddings.com/651169/body-language-signs-strong-relationship

This article is based on facts collated from different sources. The views expressed here are those of the writer.