Communication is far beyond just talking.
Communication in its totality involves both verbal and non verbal conversations.
Non verbal communication is defined as a form of communication conveyed not in words but can be accompanied by words or can occur alone without words.
This type of communication can vary from gestures, body movement, postures, facial expression, attitude to silence.
Non - Verbal Communications are powerful and they are as important as verbal communication or even more.
I'm sure we've all heard this proverb that says - "Action speaks louder than words"
Most times couples complain about Communication Gap, they are not aware that Silence can speak more louder than the loudest noise
In the real sense of it there is actually no communication gap, because the so called communication gap is also a form of communication.
Non - Verbal Communication could help to build your relationship or tear it apart.
Imagine this scenario
You got home one evening to explain the stressful and awful experiences you had at work to your husband, expecting to hear a weldone or Sorry. but he responded by saying nothing then he proceeds to watching T.V.
Definitely, his silence would communicate a lot.
His silence could mean: he doesn't care, he's more bothers than you are, he's angry or he's not happy.
The wife will definitely imagine a lot of things depending on how renewed her mind is
Non verbal communication can be of advantage or disadvantage.
It either hinders or enhances communication between partners.
So it is important for us to know how to appropriately use non verbal communication to build better relationships.
In other words to be able to communicate well with your spouse you have to pay close attention his/her non - verbal way of communicating
On the positive side:
Non verbal communication could actually be an indication of high level of intimacy.
Do we all remember how our parents ( Mum especially) would communicate with us using eye contact and we automatically know what she means?
For two different people to communicate perfectly well without necessarily talking, it shows they are very intimate.
Let's take our relationship with God as a case study.
The best way God speaks to us is through the inner witness ( the holy spirit bearing witness with our spirit)
It is the number 1 way God speaks to us.
This could also be called inner knowing.
There are times God communicates things to you without any audible voice.
That's a perfect example of nonverbal communication and it shows our level of intimacy with God.
I'll like to list out some advantages and disadvantages of non - verbal communication.
#Advantages
1. Non verbal communication can be used to complement or add value to verbal communication
God declared his Love for us and then he complemented his declaration by sending his Son to die for us.
Saying 'I Love You' as a routine is not enough.
You have to act out your Love through non verbal communication for instance you can buy surprise gifts for your partner.
Our Love should not be in words or with tongue alone but also in deed and truth
2. Non verbal communication helps to clarify conversation
Expressions that can't be understood by words can be clarified when it is accompanied with non verbal communication.
3. Non verbal communication helps you to express how important your partner is to you or how interested you are in your partner.
#Disadvantages
1. Non verbal communication could be easily misinterpreted if not well understood.
For instance silence could mean a lot of things to different people.
It could mean - I don't want to fight
It could also mean - I don't care
It could mean - Just leave me alone
It's just like giving your partner a blank check to fill.
He/she will definitely fill in what he assumes.
2) Non verbal communication is limited to face - to - face conversation.
3) It might requires a lot of repetitions before it can be well understood.
#Importance of non verbal communication
1. It is used to express emotions
It helps our partner to know how we feel in other for them to respond accordingly.
That way they can share your feeling.
2. It helps us to indicate interest and attention to the conversation
This is mostly accomplish through eye contact and touch
#How to interpret non verbal communication
1. Understanding
This as to with having full understanding of what your partners gestures, body movement etc means
This comes with spending time with your partner.
For instance
When your partner is unavoidably quite, it could be that he/she needs rest or some space but you can't know this if you've not spent time together.
2. Sensitivity
Watch out for change in mood and attitude.
If you understand your partner perfectly and you are not sensitive to his/her non verbal communication you might not be able to respond accordingly
3. Clarification
Double check the meaning of your partners gestures
If you are not sure of some particular gestures, please ask
Assumption might be very costly
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