Non-Verbal Communication in Relationships
Non-verbal communication is the messages we send to others that don’t include words. We can tell a lot about how a person feels, if they’re being genuine with us, or what kind of mood someone is in without them saying anything about it to us. Just the ‘vibe’ someone displays says a thousand words.
Making and maintaining eye contact, facial expressions, and bodily gestures are all examples of nonverbal communication.
Our non-verbal communication that we display to our partner is imperative to pay attention to. For example, if a loved one is coming to you with an issue, how you non-verbally listen and respond can change the dynamics between you from a moment of defense & arguing to a moment of clarity & progression.
No marriage or relationship is free from disagreements. However, you can prevent a disagreement from turning into a full blown out argument with good communication, both verbally and non-verbally. Nonverbal communication actually plays an essential role in verbal communication.
Here’s a checklist to see if you are projecting any negativity into your relationship:
- Am I rolling my eyes?
- Do I have my arms crossed?
- Am I looking at my phone?
- Am I condescending?
- Do I sound like a know-it-all?
We all can evaluate what we project into the world through our actions and words.
If you want a new reaction from your partner, try a new action yourself. Take on a different stance; see how the dynamics between you change.
Or the next time you’re in public, smile towards a stranger and mean it! See how your non-verbal communication changes the things around you.
In marriage and relationships, we need to understand that nonverbal communication plays a huge role in feelings of security, as well as creating a feeling of connection and affection.
If you are interested in learning more about counseling, contact Robin Newman today.
