8 body-language tricks to instantly appear more confident

Flickr/University of Exeter

Confidence is key to success in many areas of our lives. Confident people stand out at work, in social situations, and in group settings.

Studies have shown that those who appear more confident achieve higher status than their less confident peers.

As a result, they wield more influence, tend to be more admired and listened to, and have access to better resources.

If you're not as confident as you'd like to be, some slight modifications to your body language can have a huge impact. Learn to fake it until you make it with these eight tricks.

1. Keep your chin and head up.

Lillian Glass, a body-language expert and author of "The Body Language Advantage," says you need to have your head up at all times.

"Confident people are always looking up, never down at the table, the ground, or their feet," she says. "You have to always pretend that there's a string holding the crown of your head up."

2. Stand up straight.

Good posture goes a long way in how others perceive you. Standing up straight projects confidence, authority, and poise, while slouching makes you look unprofessional and disinterested. 

Roll both shoulders back and avoid looking tense by allowing your upper body muscles to relax while maintaining firmness in your core.

3. Plant your feet in an open, wide stance.

You may think no one is looking at your feet, but the correct stance can demonstrate confidence. Standing with your feet too close together can make you appear timid.

As a general rule of thumb, aim for a stance that's in line with your hips and shoulders. You want to have your feet about a foot apart, pointing outward.

"A confident person literally has two feet firmly planted on the ground," Glass says. "You're more balanced physically, and it shows more confidence than if your legs are crossed or together."

Also keep in mind the difference between an open and closed stance when talking to someone. Angling your feet outward and in the direction of the person you're speaking with shows interest, trust, and receptiveness, while a closed stance can convey disinterest.