The importance of communication in a relationship
Making your relationship stronger through communication. Communication is not something that just comes easily to most. We come from families where we learned to avoid topics and sweep issues under the rug. It’s no one fault we never learned but it is our responsibility as individuals to work on learning how to reprogram ourselves so we can communicate more effectively.
An important part of college life is learning how to have healthy relationships. Erik Erikson, a well-known psychologist, believed our social development is made up of developmental crises that we all experience at various points in our lives. For ages 20-30, Erikson said the crisis to be dealt with is intimacy versus isolation. Yes, most of us in our 20s want emotionally intimate relationships with that special someone.
The best strategy to encourage the development of an emotionally intimate relationship is to improve your communication skills. If you practice and use the following tips, you will be on your way to that close relationship that you are seeking.
Making Your Relationship Stronger through Communication
The following are tips to use as a guide to improving communication:
- Be sure to make eye contact when you are having a conversation. It may be appropriate to lean forward toward the person who is speaking to you. Make it clear by your nonverbal behavior that what he/she has to say is important.
- Use “I” statements and “feeling words” to identify your feelings. For example, “I’m happy that we got to spend time together this afternoon.”
- Be sure to listen intently when your potential partner speaks to you.
- Clarify what he/she is saying by repeating back to him/her what you understood.
- Say what you mean and mean what you say. In other words, if you say you are going to be waiting downstairs at 2:00 p.m., then be there at that time. Following through with what you promise is an important aspect of effective communication.
- Be honest in your communication. If you made a mistake, say so immediately.
- Finally, if you know you have done something that was upsetting or disappointing to your friend, apologize right away. Doing so will communicate the obvious—you are truly sorry for what happened.
Learning how to openly and honestly communicate is a true sign of maturity and the key to building strong relationships. Practice these tips with others and you will gain confidence in your communication skills.
Making Your Relationship Stronger through Communication
If your still struggling with effective communication there is always the option to seek mental health counseling. At High Expectations Counseling we assist couples, individuals and families learn new and effective ways of communicating. It is a skill we all must learn. Call us today at 407-967-1327.
