The people around you and the relationships you establish with them are an integral part of your well-being. Whether they act as cheerleaders, coaches, wingmen, or shoulders to cry on, the people we invite into our inner circle are blessings. Unfortunately, not everyone on our significant other list always has the best intentions, and sometimes insecurities and jealousies sneak in and turn healthy relationships into competitive ones without you even realizing it.

However, if you know what to look for, you can arm yourself against these competitive wolves in sheep’s clothing and detect the nonverbal signs they secretly give you that indicate their true nature.

Here are 3 nonverbal signs that someone you trust is secretly competing with you, according to psychology:

1. You always catch them looking at you

Of course, not everyone who has a wandering eye or looks at you feels like you’re their competition – they may just admire your outfit and confidence, but there’s always a vibe that gives them away. It means trusting your intuition.

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A 2018 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology found a direct correlation between competitiveness and gaze in social interactions. Of course, people with more dominant personality types tend to offer more direct eye contact when interacting, but it goes beyond that.

If there is a negotiation, think of social negotiation, not boardroom negotiation, like commanding a room or making the best joke among your peers, and you notice direct eye contact that makes you do a double take, chances are the person is secretly competing with you.

RELATED: 5 Little Ways to Read Someone’s Behavior, According to Experts

2. You notice their negative micro-expressions before you can put on a mask

Invented by Anthropologist Dr. Paul Ekman“micro-expressions” are the facial expressions we all make involuntarily when we feel emotions. Sometimes they may occur for a split second, but they are always there.

According to EkmanThere are seven micro-expressions that we can all recognize: happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, contempt, fear and surprise.

When dealing with secretly competitive individuals, you need to watch out for anger, disgust, and contempt.

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If you’re not sure how to recognize these subtle facial expressions, you can practice identifying them by simply making faces in a mirror.

By imagining how you would feel in certain situations, you can imitate the micro-expressions you make without even realizing it.

RELATED: The 1-Minute Eye Test That Shows Whether Someone Is Socially Intelligent and Able to Accurately Interpret Others’ Emotions

3. You notice that they are copying you

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this can be true in moderation. Have you ever bought shoes similar to a pair your best friend wore because they looked fabulous? This is not problematic. You are always your own person.

The problem arises when this copy transfers into everything, including your opinions and life decisions.

Success is the very foundation of the interactions driven by envy and jealousy in your life. Shashta Nelson author of “The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of the Relationships We Spend Most of Our Time In,” said Harvard Business Review“Feel the desire refers to the tendency to believe that others should not have something simply because we do not have it. This reaction not only leads to feelings of resentment toward our friends (which can often erode our relationships), but it can also create more anxiety and stress in our bodies because it is rooted in fear. We may begin to believe that in order to succeed, someone else must fail. »

Competition doesn’t always have to be a bad thing.

Competition is not always petty. This can sometimes be a cry for help from a friend, but it can also be an engine for change and growth. As long as you encourage each other while encouraging each other to become better, this competitive strength can work for good.

Covert animosity in friendships and relationshipshowever, is never healthy. Even though these secretly competing friends and jealous family members may not be inherently evil, they still don’t add value or happiness to your life. Find ways to set clear boundaries with these people, or at the very least, talk to them about how you feel.

Everyone deserves friendships and partners who fully support them in their successes, regardless of how accomplished they are in their own lives. Evolve, grow and change with your friends without worrying that they will talk bad about you behind your back.

RELATED: How to Tell If Your Jealousy is Justified and 5 Ways to Stop When It’s Not

Zayda Slabbekoorn is a news and entertainment editor at YourTango focusing on health and wellness, social policy and human interest stories.