7 Physical Gestures of Men That Show They're Truly in Love With a Woman

Editor's note: This article was originally published on October 9, 2020. It has since been updated.

Experts claim that 70% of all communication happens non-verbally. Body language makes a bigger impression than the words we use to connect with others. 

Developmental scientists reveal that we begin to use our bodies to communicate right from the moment of birth. For e.g. when a child feels cold, its body lets out an involuntary shiver, which signals the parent to take action. As explained in Psychology Today, these little reactions and bodily responses pave the way for our future non-verbal communication. 

Considering how men are when it comes to expressing their emotions, is it possible to understand them better by decoding their body language? Body language gurus say yes. If your man really loves you, he might not tell you all the time. But the way he acts around you will reveal many important cues. According to Science of People, gestures like blushing, head tilting, racing hearts (even though they are not outwardly visible) and the direction of the feet can all be signs of attraction.  

While outward expressions of affection are great, certain subtle cues are more meaningful. Maybe, your guy isn't the one to prep a bath for you or write you a sweet note, but if he engages in any of these gestures, he is more in love with you than he is willing to admit.

1. He looks you in the eye and his pupils dilate when you are talking

When you're talking to your partner, if he looks at you directly, it's a sign that he is truly interested in what you are saying. You'll probably even notice that his pupils are dilated. This is a classic sign that he is attracted to you. In 1965, a psychologist named Hess studied the connection between dilated pupils and attraction.

He found that when pictures of attractive women with large pupil sizes were shown to men, the men ranked them as prettier. He concluded that the brain secretes a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine, which makes you feel good. That chemical, in turn, causes the observer's pupils to dilate. So if he has dilated pupils when talking to you and looks right at you, know that he loves you. 

2. He leans closer to you when you say something

When you talk, he leans closer to you, as if he is trying to hear you better. It's his unconscious need to be physically closer to you and also show that he is fully invested in the conversation. According to the Body Language of Attraction, when someone leans in, it's their nonverbal way of telling them that they are engaged in the conversations. So when he does it, he's showing you that he cares about what you are saying and it matters to him as much as it matters to you.

3. He casually plays with your hair

For men, touch is a powerful means of expression. And we don't mean just sex. Simple gestures like playing with your hair signals that he is into you. This act also reveals that he is comfortable with you and wants to show his playful side, which is reserved for people he trusts completely. 

4. His eyebrows raise when he's listening to you

This is very unconscious on his behalf but when he's listening to you with intent, his eyebrows are likely to rise. This has to do with how our facial expressions are wired to communicate interest when words could be an interruption to the speaker. 

5. When he's with you, he smiles gleefully wide

Grins, smirks, or chuckles are ways men uses to express their amusement. But when they are with someone they love, their smile will reach their eyes. You'll be able to see his pearly whites and the vibe you get from him is that of pure joy. He might not do this often and especially not when he's outside with you, but you might catch this expression in a rare moment when you walk into the room and his face brightens up.

6. He likes playing with your hands

Whether you take a stroll to enjoy a quiet evening or walk past a busy lane, his hand will either hold yours or brush against you often. He likes having that connection with you, so he finds reasons to hold your hand or play with your fingers. Even if he seems distracted staring into space, he might be absent-mindedly playing with your hand. 

A good indicator that his touch means something is how it makes you feel. If his hands make you feel safe and secure, it isn't by chance. He wants you to know he has got your back. According to the Healing Touch theory, touch from someone you are comfortable with can reduce social isolation and stress while increasing your general wellbeing.  

7. When you're in a group, he whispers into your ears

When a man loves you, as neanderthal as it may sound, he wants to make sure that others know that you are his woman. So when you are in a group of people, he will whisper into your ear. This does two things: increase the physical proximity between the two of you and cut out other men's chances of getting close to you.

Disclaimer: This article is based on insights from different sources. The views expressed here are those of the writer.

References:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/spycatcher/200911/the-psychology-body-language

https://www.scienceofpeople.com/body-language-attraction/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233607956_The_Hess_pupil_dilation_findings

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-van-edwards/the-body-language-of-attraction_b_3673055.html

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/healing-touch/how-does-it-work