Most, if not all, relationships suffer from conflicts, but what matters most is how you handle them.
Communication is the key and for a good relationship. Effective communication can lead couples to foster their relationship by listening to each other’s perspective and respecting it.
Read our 14 tips for effective communication in a relationship for a better understanding. Also, you will also get to know about:
- How to recognize poor communication.
- Benefits of effective communication in a relationship.
1. Be a Good Listener
Most of the time, people don’t listen attentively and are already thinking about what to say next.
Try to listen to the person without interrupting and being defensive, and when they are done, speak out appropriately.
2. Tell Them About Your Needs
Sometimes, you truly need to be heard and vent out what’s going on in your life.
You can initiate a conversation by informing them beforehand that you want them to listen without giving any advice or ask for their advice if you need one.
Informing in advance will help avoid any miscommunication later.
3. Set boundaries
If you argue about little things now and then, try setting boundaries and stick to those.
For example, you keep fighting with your partner for always coming late. For this, you can ask them to send a text to inform you earlier.
4. Don’t Hold Grudges
Leave the past in the past and don’t discuss anything bad that happened. Focus on your present and do whatever you can to make it better. There is nothing you or your partner can do for the past. What matters most is your present and future — Work on it together!
5. Don’t Give Your Partner Silent Treatment
People often confuse boundaries with giving silent treatment, but the truth is far from it. Setting boundaries implies communicating them clearly so they know when they have crossed them.
6. Try To Resolve The Issue
Whatever the conflict is, try to resolve it, and don’t keep it on hold. Whether it is a financial issue or a division of chores, come up with a solution with some extent of compromise from both sides.
Not only will you feel a strong bond with each other, but there will be a connection in partners with problem-solving skills.
7. Don’t Play Blame Game
Expressing your feelings in the wrong way can make your partner feel attacked. Try to use an “I” sentence whenever you address your concern.
Instead of saying, “You are wrong in this,” make your statement about yourself and say, “I feel irritated when you do this.”
8. Take a Break And Unwind
Sometimes the arguments get too heated to get any constructive solution.
If you feel the situation is getting out of hand, it’s a good idea to keep the conversation on hold and go for a walk or take a nap – whatever works best for you.
It will help you unwind and relax to understand things better.
9. Be Open And Be Yourself While Communicating
Another thing that is very crucial for any relationship is being honest about who you are. By burying your emotions for temporary relief, you can avoid problems, but that will not last long.
You need to hear them out about your feelings and your needs. Be expressive and tell them about your feelings in a relaxed tone with appropriate words.
That’s what effective communication is all about.
10. Be Respectful Towards Your Partner
It takes nothing to be kind, especially when you are emotionally drained and can’t make a point.
Even when you are angry, try to stay calm and composed. It would be best to be polite in your words and actions.
If you think you are running too high on emotions, practice deep breathing, take a time-out to calm down and return to when you feel relaxed.
11. Check-in Daily
Make it a habit to ask each other about your day, how it was, and what went good and bad. This will make you feel more connected and heard in the middle of the chaos that happens in everyday life.
12. Gratitude Is The Right Attitude
Being grateful for the smallest tasks goes a long way in a relationship.
It will have two beneficial effects on your partner: one is they will know that you acknowledge their action, and the second is that their brain gets a boost of positive thinking.
13. Positivity Is The Key
Stay positive and focus on reaching a point where you both have a mutual understanding.
14. Take Help From Couples Therapist
If you have tried the above tips and still can’t come on the same page, a few sessions from a couples therapist might help you. Couple counseling will help you learn skills to resolve future conflicts and avoid miscommunication.
How To Recognize Poor Communication
Poor communication is one of the most common reasons why relationships suffer. But how would you recognize poor communication?
Here are some signs of communication problems:
- Overreaction to specific topics
- The majority of interactions are electronic.
- Not appreciating one another’s efforts.
- Keeping important information to yourself
- Not paying attention.
- Making assumptions
- Continual repetition of the same argument
How Can Good Communication in a Relationship Benefit You? Experts Opinions
Oliver Sacks, a British neurologist, says:
“We speak not only to tell other people what we think, but to tell ourselves what we think. Speech is a part of thought.”
Positive psychology involves prospering in life—finding solutions rather than trying to solve problems.
The value of communication cannot be overstated, with verbal communication being one of the oldest methods of conveying what we feel. It is one of the most vital life skills.
The opposite is also true: poor or nonexistent communication can seriously affect a dynamic. This is true even in non-romantic relationships, such as those with coworkers.
If your relationship doesn’t seem to work at all, there is always an option for therapy.
According to studies, online therapy is as effective as face-to-face meetings and in-person treatment, and some people prefer the virtual version because it is more convenient and accessible.
Bottom Line
Like any other skill, communication in a relationship is a skill that improves if you keep practicing it.
It’s all in the mind, and most poor communication happens due to a negative thought process. Therefore, it is critical to be mindful of what you are thinking in the first place.
We hope these tips for effective communication in a relationship help you build a stronger bond with your partner.
