Self-defense tip: How to be scary and intimidating in less than 5 seconds

By zoeysky // 2022-06-15

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As a prepper, you might sometimes need to look more intimidating, such as when you're trying to scare off a potential attacker. Even under normal circumstances, you can benefit from knowing how to look intimidating, like if you want to be taken seriously at work. (h/t to TheSurvivalMom.com)

Body language and how it affects how people perceive you

You're always communicating, even if you're not saying a word to another person. Consciously or unconsciously, you say things through your gestures, movements and facial expressions. Other people also perceive attitudes, personality and character qualities from these actions. In fact, nonverbal communication holds tremendous sway in your communications with other people. If you're talking to someone, tilting your head to one side or leaning in indicates interest. If your arms are crossed, you will seem defensive while nail-biting can signal nervousness and anxiety. When you notice discrepancies between what you hear and see, you may tend to prioritize what you see. Most of the time, if you're experiencing these discrepancies you may get confused, which can affect your situational awareness. But this can also work to your advantage if you're interacting with another person who's confused. This can also work to your advantage if you are forced to confront someone because you or someone you know feels threatened. (Related: Self-defense 101: Ways to protect yourself when facing a dangerous situation.) If you need to be scary and intimidate someone, learn "the stare." This stare is different from what is known as giving someone "the stink eye." Rather, this particular stare is devoid of expression.

How to look intimidating

To master this "expressionless" expression, you need to learn to relax every facial muscle, which you do naturally when you’re resting or sleeping. For the expression to work, every muscle in your face must be completely relaxed while you're confronting someone. Steps:

Practice in front of a mirror.
Relax your facial muscles. As you practice, this will be easier and you can do it more quickly.
Lower your chin a bit to create a more threatening, maniacal look.
You have mastered the stare if you have "dead eyes."

For the stare to work, every muscle must be relaxed. Practice this regularly until you can quickly switch from a normal expression to this intimidating stare within seconds. Here are more tips to improve your body language:

Walk confidently. Stand tall and keep your shoulders back, head up and arms at your side.
Walk purposefully and pick up the pace. Swing your arms naturally and walk like you have a place to be.
If you're passing by other people, make split-second eye contact so they know you've seen them, you're paying attention to what's going on around you and you're alert enough to stand up for yourself.

Avoid these actions and gestures so other people don't think of you as an easy target:

Covering up by crossing your arms in front of your chest.
Fidgeting with your hands.
Keeping your hands in your pockets.
Dragging your feet when walking.
Taking short, uneasy steps.
Looking sad or scared when walking around.

"The stare" works because it's easier to maintain this expression for a long period of time compared to a sneer. If you want someone to take you seriously or if you need to intimidate someone, use "the stare" at the right time. Visit Selfdefense.news for more articles about how to protect yourself while confronting an attacker. Watch the video below for tips on how to improve your situational awareness. This video is from the Prepping101 channel on Brighteon.com.

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Body language and how it affects how people perceive you

How to look intimidating

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