An act of intimacy can be as simple as bringing your partner a cup of tea because you can tell they are tired It means being able to comfort and be comforted, and to be open and honest. Intimacy is created by having moments of feeling close and attached to your partner. sharing intimacy – intimacy is not only a sexual connection.building companionship – sharing experiences, interests and concerns with your partner, and showing affection and appreciation.You can help to improve your communication by: These people may be good listeners, or they may be people whose actions speak louder than their words. Some people find it hard to talk and may need time and encouragement to express their views. Open and clear communication can be learnt. Improving communication in a relationship Ask for feedback on your listening from the other person.It might be better to calm down before you address the issue. Be prepared to take time out if you are feeling really angry about something.Use assertive statements like ‘I feel…about…’, ‘What I need is…’.Let the other person speak without interruption.Mute telephones or other communication devices to ensure you are really listening. Be aware that physical barriers, noise or interruptions will make good communication difficult.Avoid distracting gestures such as fidgeting with a pen, glancing at papers, or tapping your feet or fingers.Sit or stand on the same level to avoid looking up to or down on the other person.Face the other person – don’t sit or stand sideways.Have an open, non-defensive, fairly relaxed posture with your arms and legs uncrossed.Lean towards the other person and make gestures to show interest and concern.Keep comfortable eye contact (where culturally appropriate).A good listener can encourage their partner to talk openly and honestly. Listening is a very important part of effective communication. Notice whether your body language reflects what you are saying. For example, saying ‘I love you’ to your partner in a flat, bored tone of voice, gives 2 very different messages.

If our feelings don’t fit with our words, it is often the non-verbal communication that gets ‘heard’ and believed. These non-verbal means of communicating can tell the other person how we feel about them. Our body posture, tone of voice and the expressions on our face all convey a message. When we communicate, we can say a lot without speaking. If the issue you are having is not that important, try to let the issue go, or agree to disagree. negotiate and remember that you don’t have to be right all the time.share positive feelings with your partner, such as what you appreciate and admire about them, and how important they are to you.Put aside your own thoughts for the time being and try to understand their intentions, feelings, needs and wants (this is called empathy) accept responsibility for your own feelings.

talk about what you want, need and feel – use ‘I’ statements such as ‘I need’, ‘I want’ and ‘I feel’.

talk about what is happening and how it affects you.

make your message clear, so that your partner hears it accurately and understands what you mean.

be clear about what you want to communicate.

set aside time to talk without interruption from other people or distractions like phones, computers or television.

Double check your understanding of what your partner is saying. Communication will never be perfect all the time.īe clear when communicating with your partner, so that your message can be received and understood. Healthy communication styles require practice and hard work. Couples need to find a way of communicating that suits their relationship. It takes 2 people to have a relationship and each person has different communication needs and styles. We need to communicate clearly to avoid misunderstandings that may cause hurt, anger, resentment or confusion. No matter how well you know and love each other, you cannot read your partner’s mind. The act of communicating not only helps to meet your needs, but it also helps you to be connected in your relationship. In relationships, communication allows to you explain to someone else what you are experiencing and what your needs are. What is communication?īy definition, communication is the transfer of information from one place to another. We often hear how important communication is, but not what it is and how we can use good communication in our relationships. All relationships have ups and downs, but a healthy communication style can make it easier to deal with conflict and build a stronger and healthier partnership.

Good communication is an important part of all relationships and is an essential part of any healthy partnership.

Perception definition in communication