science believes it has an explanation

Walking down the street and seeing someone walking with their eyes downward can make us instantly think that something is happening to that person emotionally, such as being sad. But the reality is that walking down has many meanings and that have been proven through sciencewhich go far beyond the field of psychology and makes us rethink the thoughts we have when we see someone in this situation.

The body language. One of the letters of introduction we have to the world is undoubtedly the gestures we make. It is not the same to be with them all the time. crossed arms which may indicate a more closed attitudeto be much more open in front of another person. And the look is another fundamental letter of introduction that we can understand perfectly.

What psychology says. The most widespread interpretation of looking down while walking is attributed to the insecurity, shyness, sadness or low self-esteem. It is a fact that avoiding eye contact can seem evasive and, in a society like ours, is often considered a sign of vulnerability or emotional processing.

This is something that has been collected in different studies focused on non-verbal communication where they reinforce this idea: the hunched posture, the gaze towards the ground and the absence of eye contact can indicate internal states such as introspection, emotional stress or the need for protection from the environment.

However, the field of psychology warns that this overly simple or ‘generalist’ interpretation is inaccurate. To understand it we can go to other cultures such as the Japanese, where looking at the ground is a sign of respect or modesty, or can even be interpreted as a form of concentration or reflection. In this way, the social context, personality and frequency of the gesture make the difference between a ‘good clinical indication’ and perfectly normal behavior.

Neuroscience. But beyond psychology, Neuroscience also has a lot to say in this field to thoroughly study why, in many situations, looking down is a very useful strategy. Studies published in journals such as Nature demonstrate That directing your gaze toward the ground helps adjust your balance and reduces the risk of tripping.

Within these studies, brain activity and movement patterns have been specifically measured in people walking in different environments. And the conclusion is quite clear: looking down provides the brain with critical information about the terrain and allows you to adjust your step, especially if there are obstacles or the ground is uneven. In this way, if you go in the middle of the field for example, the normal thing is to look down to avoid tripping or ending up on the ground.

The same occurs with a work published in 2021 that observed that this position improves stability in older people and also when the cognitive load increases, for example, when we are distracted. Thus, far from being just an emotional symptom, it is also a rational and functional response. facing physical and mental challenges.

Mental health. Should every gesture of looking at the ground worry us? The clinical literature clarifies: if the gesture appears in isolation, it does not imply problems. But if it is combined with other signs such as social isolation, apathy or mood changes, it can be part of a picture of depression, anxiety or stress. The problem is that a simple look down the street is not enough to know this, but you must know that person much more.

But the evidence is quite clear in this sense: ​there is a relationship between emotions and posture, but it is never a single indicator.

Beyond the myth. In this way, every time we see a person with their gaze downcast, we don’t always have to think about the most negative thing, but we don’t always have to think about the most positive thing either. The reality is that if we are walking down a street Looking at the ground serves to avoid obstacles, process information while walking or adopt multitasking strategies (or even if you are lucky to find a ticket).

Images | Caspar Rae

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