10 Quiet Ways Emotionally Safe People Make You Feel At Home Without Saying A Word
These people are worth keeping around and treating as well as they treat you.
NK D.LIGHT / Shutterstock The people in your life who are emotionally safe for you possess rare qualities that instantly make you feel more comfortable around them.
Emotionally safe people always seem to have a way of making you feel seen, heard, and accepted, even when you don’t feel as if you deserve it. And the best part is, they are able to do this without saying much at all.
There are many quiet ways emotionally safe people make you feel at home without saying a word. If you know someone like this, be sure to treat them as they special person they are, just as they always know how to do for you.
Here are 10 quiet ways emotionally safe people make you feel at home without saying a word
1. They smile at you when you walk into a room
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People who make you feel emotionally safe have a gift of making you know just how much they appreciate your presence. When you enter the room, they greet you with a beaming grin that says, “I’m so glad you’re here!” without even having to verbally express it.
Smiles communicate trustworthiness, friendliness and lack of threat, and we cannot help but feel safe when someone smiles warmly at us.
Research shows that people who smile at us are perceived as more trustworthy and friendly than those with neutral expressions. And when someone offers you a smile, you can't help but smile right back!
2. They sit in silence with you without making it awkward
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Emotionally safe people eradicate the idea of awkward silence. Their presence alone will make you feel more than comfortable, and you are happy to just enjoy a silent moment with them, whether it be reading a book side by side or binging a TV show with one another.
Comfortable silences can signal a strong bond between you and the people who provide you with emotional safety. These kinds of people don’t make you feel the need to fill the space with words. They’re just there.
3. They put their phones down when they’re with you
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This tiny but mighty gesture often goes unnoticed. When you are with someone who provides you with emotional safety, they will also provide you with their undivided attention. They may do this in subtle but effective ways, such as putting their phone in their back pocket or tuning it off completely.
Phones can be a major distraction during our interactions, and when we’re preoccupied with them, the people we’re talking to can end up feeling overlooked or unimportant. A study published in the Journal of Economic Psychology found that people are more likely to trust those who put their phones away during a conversation.
There’s just something about a face-to-face interaction without the presence of screens that make them all the more special!
4. They give you space when you need it
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Even the most extroverted people need their own personal space from time to time, and emotionally safe people are happy to give it to them. No questions, no pressure. Just respect.
Allowing yourself personal space is a crucial form of self-care.
“When you spend time alone, you get to focus on your own thoughts and feelings — and no one else’s,” educator and journalist Jenn Granneman shared. “People who regularly partake in self-care are generally happier and calmer than those who don’t because the “me-timers” prevent overload burnout."
When you opt to spend time alone, the emotionally safe people in your life will not guilt or pressure you to hang out with them. Instead, they respect your space and likely understand the importance of space themselves.
5. They nod as you speak
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People who make you feel emotionally safe will always let you know that they are actively listening to you without ever having to say it. Instead, they will convey their attentiveness with body languages such as nodding. Nodding at someone as they are speaking tells them, “I’m listening and you have my full attention. Keep going.”
Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology revealed that a person nodding at you while you are speaking reinforces your own confidence in the thoughts and ideas you are conveying to them. To many people, nodding is more than just a simple gesture. It is the ultimate sign of courtesy and respect.
6. They offer comforting gestures
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Whether it be a gentle touch, a side hug or a shared look, those who make you feel emotionally safe offer you comforting gestures that feel like home. These gestures instantly communicate, “I’m here with you.”
Sometimes, when we are attempting to express our feelings and are unable to get the words out emotionally safe people remind us that we don’t have to say a word simply by demonstrating these gestures. When we’re too overwhelmed to explain, they use gestures to remind us that it is perfectly acceptable and that they’ll be here to support us no matter what.
7. They don’t interrupt
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Allowing someone to speak without constantly cutting them off or jumping in to contribute your own story is one of the ultimate signs of respect, and one that emotionally safe people are very familiar with. They want you to know that they value what you have to say enough to be fully engaged and actively listening in the conversation, allowing you to finish your thoughts without interruption.
Cutting people off or frequently interrupting conveys the idea that you are uninterested in what they have to say and don’t mind cutting into every thought they are trying to express.
Emotionally safe people, even if they are having trouble following what you have to say or find it boring, allow you the space to talk without interrupting.
8. They offer help instinctively
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For emotionally safe people, offering a helping hand is second nature. If you are struggling with something and need assistance, there is no need to even ask them. They notice what you need and will gently step in.
Emotionally safe people are deeply empathetic, and will pick up on even the slightest signals for help. They are easily able to detect changes in your body language, tone and overall energy.
Whether it’s grabbing you a cup of water, helping you up the stairs or simply just holding your hand when you’re on edge, emotionally safe people will provide for you in ways that are so subtle you may not even notice.
9. They don’t rush you
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Emotionally safe people show consideration for your time, needs and well-being. Whether you are hesitating to make a right turn on red or unsure what to order off the menu at dinner, they will never rush you, and they allow you to take your time until you’re able to make a decision.
Giving someone time to think is or finish what they’re doing at their own pace is a sign of respect for their time and schedule.
Psychology professors Shoba Sreenivasan, Ph.D., and Linda E. Weinberger revealed that rushing someone implies that you believe that their time is less important than yours. Since emotionally safe people will also show you their utmost respect, they will avoid rushing you or making you feel as if you’re wasting their time.
10. They mirror your energy
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If you’re quiet, they’re calm. If you’re excited, they’ll celebrate with you. Emotionally safe people have a knack for making you feel seen and understood. They’ll often mirror your energy in conversations, and are giving you the message of, “I see where you are right now and I’m right here with you” without having to verbally say it.
Mirroring your energy is a quiet way of accepting you as you are, and giving you the safety to be as you are.
Megan Quinn is a staff writer with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Creative Writing. She covers news and lifestyle topics that focus on justice in the workplace, personal relationships, parenting debates, and the human experience.
