Talking in relationships

How To Communicate In A Relationship, According To Experts – Forbes Health

Communication doesn’t always come easy, whether it’s with a romantic partner or someone else. But it’s key to the overall success and sustainability of such partnerships.

While some people have no problem communicating their needs in a clear and respectful way, others may struggle when it comes to expressing themselves—and that can make maintaining healthy relationships especially challenging.

Here’s a closer look at the different types of communication, how to work on the way you listen and talk to others and when it may be wise to turn to a professional for help.

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Benefits of Good Communication in a Relationship

Communication is the foundation of any relationship, says Darcy Sterling, a licensed clinical social worker in New York and host of E! Network’s Famously Single. “The extent to which each partner is skilled at expressing themselves, their needs and their preferences is the greatest indicator of the health and fulfillment of the relationship,” she says.

Research shows that in addition to allowing you to express concerns in a relationship, communication can help you problem-solve. “Communication is what keeps couples on the same page and feeling like they are solving problems together rather than against one another,” says Sarah Epstein, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Philadelphia and Dallas. Effective communication also enables partners to disagree in productive, respectful ways, she adds.

Clear dialogue matters in any relationship. Some individuals might focus more on the quality of communication in intimate connections and have higher expectations of romantic partners than with family or friends, says Sterling, but the importance of communication expands beyond that.

Certain skills are necessary to maintain open channels of communication that enable relationships to thrive, whether with a romantic partner or someone else.

“Every relationship requires communication—and the quality of that communication is a predictor of how fulfilling the relationship is for both people,” says Sterling.

We all need open communication in relationships to bridge gaps in the face of a misunderstanding, and to get through our most difficult challenges. “Open communication is the spine that holds up a relationship whether it is thriving or under strain,” Epstein says.

But talking it out isn’t just about getting through the tough stuff—like disagreeing with your boss about work hours or arguing with your brother about chores—it’s what helps people deepen and fortify their relationships, too. “Good communicators use their skills to communicate their appreciation, love and respect,” says Epstein.

Good vs. Poor Communication in a Relationship

At its most basic, the difference between good and poor communication comes down to problem solving and intimacy. “Good communication clarifies problems and creates closeness between partners, while poor communication intensifies issues and creates distance between partners,” says Epstein.

According to each expert, people exhibit good communication when they:

Pay attention and listen while their partner speaks
Listen to understand, rather than listen to respond
Validate their partner’s thoughts and feelings (often by acknowledging and repeating back some of what was said)
Ask questions
Understand, even when their partner has different perspectives and opinions
Don’t raise their voice

Meanwhile, individuals with poor communication habits might:

Interrupt
Act in passive aggressive ways
Hold grudges
Tip-toe around each other
Guess or assume their partner’s feelings
Sweep problems under the rug rather than hash them out
Argue repeatedly over the same subject
Call their partner names
Make threats
Raise their voice

The ability to consistently communicate well in a relationship can help people face challenges and hardships more productively, according to Epstein. “Healthy communication helps couples de-escalate a situation, stay calm under stress, use humor appropriately, apologize effectively and make partners feel heard and understood—even during very stressful moments,” she says.

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4 Types of Communication Styles

Researchers generally group communication into three categories: Assertive, passive or aggressive communication. Additionally, people use nonverbal communication to send messages to one another without words at all. Here are four communication styles:

1. Assertive Communication

This is when you speak in a direct manner while communicating compassion and a desire to compromise on ways to meet your needs, the experts note. “Assertive communication involves clear, appropriate, respectful expression,” says Epstein. “It comes from a place of clarity about what a person needs.”

2. Passive Communication

Communicating passively means you tend to defer to others when it’s time to make a decision, says Sterling. Passive communicators typically accommodate others and avoid resistance. “They are highly conflict-avoidant, tend to have a very long fuse and are more likely to walk away from a relationship than advocate for their needs within the relationship,” she says.

3. Aggressive Communication

Aggressive communication often involves standing up for your own rights at the risk of possibly disregarding another person’s feelings. A person who resorts to this approach may likely have a low tolerance for emotional discomfort and tends to get upset more frequently than others, says Sterling. “When they are escalated, they have a need to resolve the conflict immediately, which more often than not results in the situation escalating because they’re so caught up in their own emotions that they don’t take into account whether their partner is capable or willing to discuss the issue,” she says.

4. Nonverbal Communication

This type of communication allows people to communicate information about their needs, attitudes, emotions and intentions without using words. Nonverbal communication can be healing and informative to couples when used in non-passive-aggressive ways. “Good nonverbal communication looks like relaxed posture, mirroring body language and eye contact while talking,” says Epstein. Though, it can take practice to pick up on certain cues.

Expert-Backed Tips on How to Improve Your Communication

The strategies below can help you learn how to better communicate with your partner, friends, family members and even co-workers.

Do Some Homework

Turning to different relationship-focused resources such as articles, podcasts or books, can add tools to your communication kit and open your mind to new perspectives. Epstein suggests checking out the book Hold Me Tight, by Dr. Sue Johnson, a therapist and researcher who helps couples strengthen their bond and navigate life’s challenges.

Discuss Your Communication Preferences

Epstein suggests checking in with each other (outside of heated moments) to explore wants, needs and areas where you need improvement. She recommends questions like:

How do you feel we communicate during stressful moments?
Do you feel appreciated and acknowledged?
When we’re arguing, what do you most need from me?
If you could change one thing about the way I communicate, what would it be?
It seems like we get trapped in repetitive cycles of yelling whenever we argue. How do you think we each contribute to that dynamic?

Schedule a Recurring Relationship Meeting

“The first thing I do with clients who walk on eggshells with their partners is have them schedule a weekly relationship meeting with their partner,” says Sterling. You can use this designated time to practice good communication skills while discussing the week’s challenges and wins, reinforcing that conversations don’t have to lead to conflict, she says.

Work With a Professional

Couples can work with a licensed couples therapist to improve their communication skills. “This is exactly what a therapist with specific couples training is trained to help with,” says Epstein.

When to See an Expert

Research shows that turning to a mental health professional can decrease psychological distress, improve relationship satisfaction and help couples learn important communication and conflict resolution skills. So how do you know if you should reach out for help?

According to Epstein, some indicators that you may want to seek out a couples therapist include:

If you and your partner believe you’re poor communicators
If you find yourselves having the same arguments over and over again, sometimes about different issues but in the same ways
If it feels like any tiny argument can escalate into a full-blown fight
If you and your partner feel disconnected
If it feels like the relationship is in trouble

While the above indicators can be addressed with a therapist, research shows couples therapy can help people be proactive about their relationship—and not just as a last-ditch effort when a relationship is on its last legs. In fact, you can have a healthy relationship and still benefit from couples therapy. Sterling suggests seeking out a therapist who is certified in couples counseling early in the relationship before deep wounds occur. “The same way I don’t wait for smoke to come out from under the hood of my car before having it serviced, everyone should see a couples therapist throughout the relationship,” she says.

To find a licensed therapist in your area, visit the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). With the therapist locator tools listed on AAMFT’s site, you can review detailed listings for local professionals. Listings include credentials, specialties, types of therapy offered and whether or not you can attend sessions in person, virtually or both.

You can also turn to online platforms, such as Talkspace or BetterHelp, to get matched with a licensed couples therapist based on your needs, challenges and goals. In addition to video calls, these options allow you to speak with your therapist via phone call, chat or text.

Outside of couples counseling, it can also be beneficial to work with a licensed therapist one-on-one to better understand your communication gaps.

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10 ways to improve communication in relationships

Back to the Ultimate Relationship Guide

Connection: We all crave it. We seek it through family and friends, but often our intimate relationships are where we expect to find the most connection. When we don’t, we feel isolated and misunderstood. We let these negative emotions lead to arguments – or worse, we stop communicating at all.

Communication in relationships is essential to having a happy, healthy partnership. And it isn’t about making small talk. Asking your partner how their day went is nice, but if you want an extraordinary relationship, you must dig deeper. Learning how to communicate in a relationship is about fulfilling your partner’s needs. To improve communication in your relationship, you must discover how to listen, not how to talk.

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Why is communication in relationships important?

Communication in relationships is essential to having a happy, healthy partnership. Your partner is likely the person you spend the most time with, which means there’s a greater risk of misunderstandings and conflict. But when you perfect communication in relationships, you’ll be rewarded.

✓ Increased trust

Real communication in relationships means that you can go to your partner about anything: sharing happiness and sadness, good days and bad. You’re willing to be vulnerable with them because you know that they will support you and love you no matter what. Absolute courage and vulnerability is one of the Five Disciplines of Love because it leads to total trust in your relationship.

✓ Better conflict resolution

We all know couples who seem to fight all the time – and those who seem to never fight at all. While all relationships have ups and downs, both frequent fighting and no fighting at all are signs of a lack of communication in relationships. The key isn’t to never disagree with your partner. It’s to improve your conflict resolution skills by using the eight tips above so that when disagreements do happen, you’re able to turn them into something that strengthens your relationship instead of tearing it down.

✓ Increased intimacy

Discovering how to improve communication in relationships is excellent for your emotional intimacy, or ability to listen, understand and be compassionate toward your partner. Developing your communication skills shows that you respect and value your partner and their feelings and opinions. When people feel honored and accepted in this way, emotional intimacy skyrockets – and physical intimacy often follows.

Is there such a thing as over-communication?

Yes, over-communication in relationships does exist in certain contexts. There are two common defense mechanisms when people are feeling anxious or unsure of how to express themselves: internalizing and externalizing. People who internalize tend to shut down and withdraw during conflicts; those who externalize want to talk it out, sometimes excessively.

In both of these cases, more communication doesn’t necessarily equal good communication. Internalizers may need space before they’re ready to talk; externalizers may need to slow down and refine their message. Before you’re tempted to say more, think about how you can say it better instead.

How to communicate in a relationship

Communication in relationships can be the difference between a strong, lifelong partnership or a conflict-filled bond that ends in disappointment. Learning how to communicate better is vital.

1. Commit to true connection

The biggest misconception about how to communicate in a relationship is that communication is the same as talking or making conversation. Communication in relationships, at its core, is about connecting and using your verbal, written and physical skills to fulfill your partner’s needs. It’s not about making small talk. It’s about understanding your partner’s point of view, offering support and letting your partner know you are their #1 fan.

It’s easy to let real connection and passion diminish, especially in long-term relationships. But the first key to how to improve communication in a relationship is to admit that you’re not connecting the way you used to. Talk with your partner about rekindling your connection and provide a starting point. If your partner isn’t on board, don’t worry. Relationships are a place where you go to give, not one where you go to take. You can still enact many of these strategies without a commitment from your partner – and you may even inspire them to reciprocate.

2. Identify your communication styles

Before you work on learning how to improve communication in a relationship, you need to realize that not everyone has the same communication style. The four main communication styles are passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive and assertive. Passive communicators keep their emotions inside and are the ones who can never seem to say “no.” Aggressive communicators are loud and intense, but typically have trouble making real connections with others. Passive-aggressive communicators avoid conflict and use sarcasm to deflect real communication. The healthiest type of communication is assertive: These people are in touch with their emotions and know how to communicate them effectively.

Communication styles also involve our metaprograms, or the ways that we respond to information. Some people like to talk, some prefer touch and others are more visual or respond better to gift giving than an outward discussion of feelings. You probably know which communication style you prefer, but what about your partner?

Communication and relationships are all different. Effective communication with your partner will come from acknowledging this. Your partner can be telling you exactly what they need, but you have to be cognizant of how they convey this information to you. If there’s miscommunication, you’ll miss the opportunity to build trust and intimacy, and you’ll both feel frustrated.

When striving to learn how to communicate better, watch your partner respond to different perceptive cues over a day or two. Does he or she seem to respond most to seeing and watching? Hearing and talking? Or touching and doing? For example, if your partner is more responsive to language, tone and other auditory cues, making lots of eye contact and gentle facial expressions isn’t communicating as much to them as you think. You’re sending signals but they’re not picking them up. On the other hand, if you find that you are an auditory person and your partner is a kinesthetic person, remember that saying “I love you” may not be enough. Reinforce your love with touch, and remember to do so often.

3. Discover the Six Human Needs

There are six fundamental needs that all humans share, but each of us puts these needs in a different order in accordance with our core values. Once you discover which needs matter the most to your partner, you’ll know how to communicate with your partner and in a way that fulfills them.

The first human need is the need for certainty. It’s this need that drives us to seek out pleasure and avoid pain, stress and emotional risks. Ask yourself these questions: How secure is my partner feeling in our relationship? We all find safety and comfort in different things. Be open with your partner about what gives them certainty and makes them feel stable.

The second human need that affects communication and relationships is the need for variety. Uncertainty isn’t always scary if you know how to communicate with your partner. Relationships need healthy challenges that allow partners to grow together. As you learn how to communicate better, you’ll find that variety keeps things fun and exciting with your partner.

Significance is the third human need: We all need to feel unique and important. Communication is key to this particular desire because your partner needs to know that you need them, in a singular way – that they fulfill your needs in ways that only they can. How do you demonstrate to your partner, not just tell them, that they are significant to you? You can show them through loving touch, offering them support when they need it and spending quality time with them.

The fourth basic human need is for connection and love. Every human needs to feel connected with others. Effective communication in relationships lets us know that we are loved and can make us feel at our most alive, but absence of love can cause pain like nothing else can. Too often we automatically say “I love you” in order to solve a conflict with our partners and forget to show love in a real, tangible way that speaks to our partner’s needs. Reverse this pattern: Consciously show your partner that you love them every day, in a way that speaks to their personal preferences and needs. Learning how to improve communication in a relationship is about realizing what “language” your partner best understands and giving them love in that way.

Growth is the fifth human need. The human experience is one of motion and without constant growth, our relationships will become stale. We constantly endeavor to evolve along the different paths that interest us the most, whether these are emotional, intellectual, spiritual or otherwise. Your partner has the need for growth as much as you do and when we learn how to communicate better, we can also learn how to better grow together. When was the last time you supported your partner’s growth in the areas that they are most passionate about? How can you continue to support them to the fullest?

The sixth and final human need is contribution and giving. Remember, the secret to living is giving. Contribution is our source of meaning – it determines who we become and solidifies our legacy, who we are and our role in the world. Consider what you give to your partner and how you can give more. Are you giving your time? Your undivided attention? The benefit of the doubt? A second chance? When communication in relationships is strong, both partners are able to continually come up with new and better ways of contributing to the other’s happiness.

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4. Learn the three keys to passion and intimacy

The strongest relationships have polarity: opposing masculine and feminine energies that compliment each other. When the needs of either person aren’t being met, that person will put on a “mask” of the opposing energy and close off from their partner. But when polarity in relationships is fully embraced, a beautiful connection is created.

Masculine and feminine energies each have three key needs that must be met. Feminine energies need to feel seen – they want you to be present with them and appreciate them. They need to feel understood, through listening and validation. And they need to feel safe, both physically and emotionally.

Masculine energies need to feel appreciated, through praise and celebration. They need to feel free, not micromanaged or controlled. And they need to feel opened up to – so share your emotions and affection freely.

Communication in relationships is about first fulfilling your partner’s needs. When you do that, they will be more open to communicating and connecting with you to create the relationship you both desire.

5. Determine if your partner’s needs are being met

There is one surefire way to know if your partner is getting their needs met in your relationship: ask the right questions and then deeply listen to the answers. Reflect on what your partner says, and if you’re not sure what he or she means, then ask by restating their point and asking if you understand correctly. The key to how to communicate in a relationship is often not in the actual verbal communication at all – it’s in the way we listen to our partner.

Your partner may be communicating exactly what the problem is, but if you’re not listening, you’ll miss it. Resist the pull of just waiting for your partner to finish what they’re saying so you can launch into your “turn.” That isn’t listening, it’s waiting to talk. Instead, listen with a calm, open mind and really hear what they are saying to you. This will not only help you learn how to communicate better, but will also enable you to connect with your partner on a deeper level.

6. Be honest and open

Being honest and open is at the top of the list for how to improve communication in a relationship. Say what you mean, and make your feelings and your needs clear. Retreating from conflict seems deceptively safe and comfortable, but it’s no substitute for trust in a relationship and it will never help you learn how to communicate better. Walking away from an argument is a temporary way to deal with an ongoing communication issue and must only be done to achieve a brief cooling-down period. When you disagree with your partner, you must be able to trust that what you say will be heard and respected, and so does your partner.

If you or your partner (or both of you) is averse to conflict, you can find yourselves burying your emotions to please each other and avoid problems. This temporary peacekeeping band-aid turns a two-way relationship into a one-way street, and that’s not a sustainable outcome. The happiness and intimacy you used to share will gradually erode, and it will take the relationship with it. Instead of ignoring issues, it’s crucial that you both learn how to communicate better with each other.

7. Be present in your relationship

To improve communication in relationships and truly understand what your partner is telling you, be present. Put time aside and dedicate yourself 100% to communicating with your partner. They must truly feel that they have your full attention and that they are your number one priority.

It’s difficult to listen and be fully present, aware and mindful when you’re angry and stressed or are working on things that take time away from your relationship. This is a part of life, but it’s important to realize that it’s not an excuse for neglecting communication in relationships. Remember that intimacy, love and trust are built when times are hard, not when they’re easy. If we gave up at every sign of resistance, we would never progress and evolve. Seize these opportunities to learn how to deal with conflict and stress in a healthy manner and watch as you grow and flourish with your partner.

8. Let things go

Resist letting a discussion about what’s happening now devolve into a rehash of every wrong that has ever happened between you and your partner. This is the opposite of loving and effective communication in relationships. Instead, assess the present situation and identify what you can do at this moment. Pause and remember why you’re here, and remember that your goal, the outcome that you value, is to strengthen your relationship, build intimacy and learn how to communicate better. There’s absolutely nothing either of you can do about the past right now, so let it go.

How to communicate better is about more than saying the right things. Also be aware of your body language. You could offer all the loving and supportive words in the world to your partner, but if your arms are crossed over your chest and you have a scowl on your face, your partner is unlikely to respond favorably. How to communicate in a relationship means listening, loving and supporting with your whole being. Lean toward your partner, keep your face relaxed and open and touch them in a gentle manner. Show them through all your words, actions and expressions that you love them even if you are in conflict.

9. Break negative patterns

You know what your partner needs and have thought about their preferred communication style, but there’s something else that affects communication in relationships: how you’re speaking. Experts on communication break down the way we talk into pitch, pace, volume and timbre. The next time you’re in a disagreement with your partner, be mindful and make conscious efforts to modulate these aspects of your voice.

A voice that is overly high-pitched sounds defensive and immature. Also, if you end a sentence with a higher pitch, it sounds like a question; don’t do this unless you’re actually asking a question, or you risk instilling doubt in your partner.

Pace just means how fast you’re talking. Take a deep breath and slow down – especially when you’re disagreeing. Speak calmly and clearly to get your message across.

Pay attention to volume, especially volume “creep,” and avoid competing to be heard – competition only leads to shouting and miscommunication. Being louder won’t help you communicate with your partner. If your partner is speaking, listen.

Timbre refers to your voice’s emotional quality, attitude and tone. Pay careful attention to this, and watch for red flag timbres like sarcasm that can erode communication in relationships and cause distrust between partners.

When things do get out of hand, break the pattern: Be playful and use humor in a way that keeps the conversation flowing in the right direction. Injecting humor into the situation can make it feel less dire and can yield amazing results for the two of you. That’s because humor helps you regain perspective and balance; it is an essential component of healthy communication in relationships. It also relieves stress and improves your physical happiness in your everyday life. The biggest benefit to laughing in this context is that it reminds you that you love just being together with your partner. It reminds you that you can enjoy your time together, even when things seem challenging.

When learning how to communicate in a relationship, it’s important to break the pattern of hostility, hurt and retreat. For example, when you catch yourself raising your voice or being sarcastic, change your tone. If you’re using “you” repeatedly and blaming your partner, switch to “I” and “me,” or better yet, “we.” There’s no point in offloading all your relationship’s issues on to your partner. There are two people in every relationship, so don’t shift the blame to be entirely on their shoulders.

Breaking the pattern is a powerful way of reframing the discussion and bringing it back to a level where you can get to what matters. Communication in relationships is all about what your partner’s needs are, what your needs are and how you can both feel fulfilled from your relationship.

10. Start over

Sometimes no matter how much you want to improve communication in a relationship, an argument happens. This is when it’s most essential to be aware of your negative patterns and start over before they become destructive.

Tony often shares an incredible story about Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan that speaks to the power of patterns. If you were born before the mid-80s, you remember the Cold War. It was a defining period of world history when two superpowers, with opposite ideologies – i.e., differences in values – confronted each other in a tense political conflict that could, at any point, tip toward war. It was not a productive relationship and in the late-80s the leaders of the two powers met in a series of talks that would forever shape the course of human history.

But, the story of how Reagan, president of the United States, and Gorbachev, leader of the Soviet Union, resolved the conflict did not start as well as you might think. Gorbachev and Reagan found themselves in the middle of a heated discussion on the merits and demerits of capitalism and communism. Like any discussion on politics, it was going nowhere and neither leader was sure how to communicate better with the other.

Tony had the pleasure of speaking to both Reagan and Gorbachev years after and he asked them, “What was the moment you decided for peace?” Gorbachev related that, in the middle of the argument, Reagan stood and walked away, only to suddenly turn and exclaim, “Okay, let’s try this again. I’m Ronald!” If Reagan and Gorbachev can start over after so much animosity, there’s hope for communication in your relationship, too.

Always remember that you are together because you make each other smile. Problems are obstacles that need surmounting, and while it’s easy to give up, the truth is that these are the moments that will define your relationship. Listen to your partner, discover the needs they value the most and fulfill them. When you understand that giving is the secret to a fulfilling relationship, you’ll put constant work into how to communicate with your partner in a way they can understand.

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Serious conversation with a man: how to conduct it, tips

The phrase “We need to talk” is so multifaceted and unpredictable that it frightens both sides of the dialogue. Even if you are the organizer, the reaction of the partner can be different and lead you anywhere after him. Psychologist Anna Lipatova shared how a woman should start and properly conduct a serious conversation with a man. With the help of her advice, you can prepare a speech well, build negotiations competently and avoid loud quarrels and insults.

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"We need to talk." These words very often start a difficult, unpleasant, important or very significant conversation.

Sometimes these most difficult conversations need to be initiated by ourselves. They may be the only option for maintaining a relationship. To resolve a protracted conflict in the family. For comfortable communication with a loved one. To delineate personal boundaries. To request the necessary assistance. For an important recognition. And a lot more for what. Then we ourselves become their initiators. And first of all, you have to think about how to start a serious conversation with a man.

But such a conversation is not easy to start. We fear. And how it will pass. And its consequences. We are afraid that the issue will not be resolved, but will become even worse.

But if the conversation is postponed in search of a better time and place, then the situation will definitely not change. Your partner simply will not know what worries and worries you. Men rarely know how to read between the lines and, as a rule, they also do not have psychic abilities. For how long, avoiding a difficult dialogue, we will not be able to solve the problem? a week? Month? Year? Years? Yes, it happens that people do not dare to talk about difficult things for years. Often a man avoids serious conversations because of your wrong mood, pre-aggressive, attacking tone, or inability to speak to the point.

If you have a conversation like this and you put it off because of fears and insecurities, then the first thing you should do is to accept the necessity, importance and positiveness of such a conversation. By positivity, I do not mean a cheerful tone, but a positive result that this conversation will bring. Think about how wonderful it will be when the situation is resolved. In the end, the fear of destroying the relationship with a serious conversation destroys everything.

To ensure that such a conversation really becomes a salvation, and not aggravated everything even more, before starting it, read the tips below.

Start the conversation from the end

Think about what you want from this conversation. Before the conversation, make a rough plan in your head. This will give you confidence. A serious conversation with a man about relationships should be as specific and practical as possible. Guys like everything to be laid out on the shelves and not spread by thought along the tree. And such a presentation will not allow you to slide into a discussion of all those issues that have already been resolved before. And he will not let himself and his partner be humiliated to the point of making mutual claims and reproaches.

Minimize the use of negative words. And no insults, no memories of the fact that a year ago he did not bring flowers in honor of the five hundredth day from the day you met. Keep in mind that you want to solve the problem in the relationship, not destroy the relationship itself.

Numerous conflict studies have shown that negative and offensive words make a person feel defensive. And, as you know, the best defense is attack or flight. With a rise in tone and a transition to personalities, a man automatically remembers the phrase that a woman can make a hat, a salad and a scandal out of nothing. Then he just leaves. But you really had an important agenda! It just didn’t work out right to express thoughts. As a result, you will not get a conversation, but "military operations" or "an empty battlefield." And it's definitely impossible to save the relationship.

Think about the objections you might receive what's wrong with that?", "You're just picking on me"... In a serious conversation with a guy, find answers to them and anticipate their appearance during communication.

Your reaction might be: “I find such jokes very unpleasant, and I ask you...”, “I feel uncomfortable around you at such moments”, “I ask you to think of me when you want to do it again”, “If I expressed myself incomprehensibly, then I will try to reformulate”, “It is important for me that you hear me and try to understand.”

Be kind and sincere

Remember that a serious conversation with a husband or boyfriend is necessary to solve a problem, and not to humiliate a partner or seek to put him in his place. Manipulations and games in such important things will backfire on you. If you are motivated by your love and respect for the one you want to talk to, if you sincerely want to improve relations, then with a high degree of probability the conversation will be successful for both of you. The conflict will be resolved.

End the conversation on a positive note

Let your partner know that with this conversation you are trying to make your relationship better, more stable. That you are interested in resolving the conflict, developing and continuing the relationship. That this relationship means a lot to you. That you are tuned in to positive communication.
A difficult conversation will become much easier if you tune in to it correctly.
Think about what benefits you will get if you still decide to talk. You will solve the problem. Your relationship will become stronger. You will be able to move forward.
Treat a difficult dialogue not as a problem, but as a solution to it, since it has already arisen. Without starting a conversation in this vein, you will not be able to settle a quarrel, remove a heavy burden from yourself, destroy the wall of misunderstanding and become completely happy.
Think of such serious conversations with your loved one as training in conflict resolution. Couples who never quarrel may break up at the first serious quarrel. Why? Yes, they simply do not have the skills to peacefully resolve complex and controversial issues. And in communication, these skills are very necessary. You just need to argue and prove your point of view correctly, calmly and do not forget to listen to your interlocutor. When you learn how to resolve conflicts, you will become even closer to each other and to a happy life together.

How to talk to strengthen relationships

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Relationship crisis Man and woman

Men know how important it is to talk to a woman at the beginning of a relationship. But when they realize that they have conquered it, they begin to behave as they are used to. For most members of the stronger sex, this means using conversations only to achieve a specific goal. For the vast majority of women and a small number of men, conversation is primarily pleasure. Communication allows them to feel a connection with a loved one, recharge their batteries.

“If one partner (usually a man) limits the possibility of spontaneous communication and it all comes down to discussing practical issues, the second partner feels unhappy, but has to put up with it,” says interpersonal coach James Bauer. “This is a trap many couples fall into. The longer people are together, the less they talk. We discuss who will pick up the child from kindergarten, how to pay off bills and where to spend the weekend. And that is all".

How to start talking heart to heart as deeply and interestedly as it was at the beginning of a relationship? James Bauer Suggests:

Allocate time. Schedule the conversation in advance. If the first thing you do when you get home is turn on your computer or dive into your smartphone, chances are you'll switch to a partner. Give each other 20 minutes that are not invaded by the television or virtual world.

Instead of discussing the issue at the everyday level, try to talk about how the partner sees himself, what he feels

Interest partner. Start a conversation with what he is interested in. For example, if you ask, “Who do you think will make it to the semi-finals of this game?”, you will most likely grab his attention right away. But the question is: “Does this skirt suit me?” is likely to leave him indifferent, even if he politely answers you. A topic that captivates the other side may turn out to be the key to ensuring that a person is disposed to confidential communication.

Be an attentive listener. You save time if you wash dishes or dust while talking, but for a man your ability to do several things at the same time means a lack of interest in his words. He will stop talking. James Bauer calls for making what he calls "transformational talk" a tradition. They break the routine of everyday relationships, in which we are often too lazy to give ourselves the mental trouble to talk about deeper topics.

"Start with any question, but look at it from a new angle," suggests Bauer. Maybe your partner is going through a difficult time at work? Do not try to immediately find the guilty or limit yourself to sympathetic phrases: “Your boss does not appreciate you,” “This company is not worthy of you.”

Yes, you flattered the interlocutor's ego, but such a message brought nothing new either to his or your life. Try to talk about how he views the current period in the context of his career. Are there any bonuses in this situation? Is he still able to learn new things? Does he see himself in another professional field? Instead of discussing the issue at the everyday level, try to talk about how the partner sees himself, how he feels, whether he is ready to move forward. Such conversations give us the strength to rethink a lot in life.”

Natalia Artsybasheva, Gestalt therapist

In a professional environment, this joke was born: "Find a good partner, and five years of marriage will replace a year of psychotherapy for you. " If a couple has the skill and tradition of conversations developed in "peacetime", then in a crisis that abounds in family life, this will be a great advantage.

Many men tend to endure discomfort in silence and then disappear. Women are naturally better at communication. It is important to use this difference not for the struggle for power, but for the development of mutual understanding.

When in a couple a woman can help a man to talk about feelings, in response he helps her not to “drown” in them, but to move on to the right actions. Many couples need such a tradition also as a salvation from the now popular child-centrism. Often there comes a time when the wife is so immersed in caring for the children that the husband is left alone. A woman, on the one hand, loses his support, and on the other hand, she does everything to not get it.

These simple rules will help you build a dialogue, convey your thoughts to your loved one and better understand him.

Talk about your condition, not about your partner: "I'm angry" instead of "You make me angry.
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