These Subtle Acts Can Show Your Partner Is In Love With You, According To Body Language Experts

We all know at least one couple like this: a duo that’s so touchy-feely and obviously in love, you can’t help but smile when you see them interact. Between their constant hand-holding or kissing, their body language clearly conveys affection (and maybe a dash of possessiveness). In most cases, the body language of couples who are really in love involves more layers and subtleties. Sure, there are some obvious cues — frequent touch, sustained eye contact — but even if you and your love aren’t into PDA, you’re likely still engaging in behaviours that signal love and connection without having to utter a word.“Body language is the emotional undercurrent of a relationship,” Blanca Cobb, a speaker, educator and body language expert, told HuffPost. And by “body language,” she doesn’t just mean textbook PDA. Cobb is referring to all forms of nonverbal communication, from how you position your body, to where you hold your gaze, to how you move through spaces when you’re with your partner.Though subtle, these physical cues are vital to establishing and maintaining emotional intimacy. “They help partners understand each other’s feelings, intentions and trustworthiness,” Cobb said. Some occur unconsciously; others involve deliberate actions or positioning. Here are some behaviours to look for and others to avoid as you interact with your S.O.Body Language: Dating vs. PartneredPatti Wood, a speaker and body language expert with three decades of experience, agrees that these physical cues play a large role in how close and connected people feel in their romantic relationships.When dating, single people tend to engage in nonverbal behaviours that mirror the “mating rituals” of the animal kingdom, she told HuffPost. Think: a puffed chest or tall stance, typically modelled by the person who initiates an interaction, and deliberate eye contact on the part of the receptive party. Though Wood has watched the exact cues evolve with the times and shifts in gender norms, she says there’s still a clear dance at play, even when it’s early days.Some couples in love can even move and breathe in sync, experts say, as they "mirror" one another.Once a couple has locked it down, their body language typically changes to subtly convey emotional closeness and alert others to their partnership. “There’s this little dance of touch that typically occurs, especially in really loving, affectionate couples,” Wood said. Maybe one person will put their hand on their partner’s lower back while they’re speaking or gently brush their hair back. They’ll often start to mirror each other’s body language, too — and may even breathe in sync.Key Characteristics Of ‘Loving’ Body LanguageExamples of loving body language can vary based on the present situation, cultural norms and a couple’s communication style or comfort with PDA. However, across the board, it tends to include three things: some form of light touch, openness — like an open posture or visibly baring the palms of your hands — and leaning forward to face each other. When a couple is in love, even their feet will naturally point toward each other, Wood adds.You can develop a touch language with your partner to support your physical and emotional connection. “Now, you might end up folding or intertwining again to exclude other people out,” she said. But ultimately, both parties should feel safe, physically relaxed and receptive to gentle touch from one another, which will be reflected in their open body language. “When you’re with the person you love, there’s an open feeling — I don’t need to be on guard. I don’t need to protect myself. I don’t need to have any armour on.”(In moments of friction, couples tend to do the exact opposite of open and forward body language, Wood notes — i.e., folding their arms across their chest or pointedly leaning away from one another.)In her work with clients, Wood often suggests that couples choose a “secret touch spot” on their bodies and use it as an intentional point of connection, even in privacy. The spot can be anywhere on their bodies and as obvious or discreet as they like. What matters is that the two of them touch the spot when they feel close to one another and begin to associate that touch with love and security.Cobb also pays close attention to how a couple moves. Do they walk in sync? Often, that’s a sign that they share a strong bond, particularly if it happens naturally. “Moving together like this shows they’re in tune with each other and just click,” she said. For the record, the inverse is also notable for giving the opposite effect. It’s no wonder some TikTokers think it’s a red flag if your partner is always walking ahead of you.Eye Contact Is A Big DealEye contact is another biggie for both Wood and Cobb. Couples who love each other have no problem listening deeply and maintaining eye contact when they’re talking to each other. If one person starts to speak, the other will generally stop talking, turn to face them and give them their undivided attention. “It’s their way of saying, ‘You matter more than whatever I was doing,’” Cobb said.In the era of smartphones and laptops, that can be easier said than done, Wood adds. She recommends putting your devices away when you’re on a date or spending intentional time with your partner, especially if you’ve been in conflict or sense some distance. When you’re with the person you love, there’s an open feeling — I don’t need to be on guard. I don’t need to protect myself. I don’t need to have any armor on.Patti Wood, speaker and body language expertWithout any texts or Gmail notifications to distract you, your gaze will naturally linger on your partner, and you may find yourself mirroring their body language. You’ll definitely have an easier time staying present, connected and engaged in the conversation at hand.As for using your body language alone to repair a rupture or close the emotional distance between you and your partner? It’s best to pair it with effective verbal communication, Cobb said. “Communication is important because if your partner senses something is off, and you don’t talk about it, even loving body language can come across as insincere or confusing,” Cobb said. “That’s why it’s important to show gestures like gentle touch, soft eye contact or turning your body toward them when you’re talking with them.”Related...This Is The Exact Moment You ‘Lose’ a Fight With Your Partner, According To Couples CounsellorsWhat To Say When Your Friend Won't Stop Complaining About Their PartnerI Asked A Psychologist And A Sexologist For Signs Your Partner Secretly Resents You

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