How to Include Positive Communication in Marriage

To live a happy and prosperous married life, it’s necessary that you work on improving your relationship with your spouse. A healthy marriage is essential for a person’s well-being, and that is why it’s essential that you and your spouse are able to understand each other. Marriage depends on honesty, love affection and most importantly communication. Although a lot of people often neglect the latter, it’s, however, a significant component of satisfied married life.

Both verbal and nonverbal communication is necessary

As long as you and your significant other are communicating and are sharing your thoughts, emotions, and ideas with each other only then will the two of you will be able to understand each other at a deeper and intimate level.

This communication isn’t restricted to verbal communication only; a successful marriage life requires you and your spouse to be able to communicate nonverbally as well. Nonverbal communication includes your facial expressions and your body language. You need to understand that the more honest connection you and your spouse have the more easily you’ll be able to express yourself when interacting with each other.

It’s all about being positive in your communication skills. Both of you need to be honest and focus on what makes your life better together. Below are some ways you can include positive communication in your marriage.

Encourage each other

You must understand that for a healthy relationship it’s essential that you encourage each other rather than criticize one another every chance you get. This particular form of positive communication requires you to carry out the following habits; being gentle with each other, listening to each other attentively and validating each other.

By encouraging one another, you can grow your relationship successfully. Words and gestures of encouragement help in awakening the feeling that there’s someone who believes in you. Do understand that there is a vast difference between praising each other and encouraging one another.

To get praise, you have to earn it, whereas words of encouragement are given freely as a form of support. If you notice something nice about your significant other, that most people see but never mention, then make sure to say it to them. Encouraging your spouse can help them in changing their outlook, and can affect your relationship as well.

Understand each other’s body language

You must understand the emotional cues that your partner is giving you. Notice their body language, their tone, see if your partner is making eye contact with you or not. If you notice that your partner seems a bit uncomfortable or vulnerable, then be more attentive towards them. Don’t be too harsh or forceful though. Instead, you should focus on letting them know that you are there for them if they need it.

Let them know that they matter

Remember that no marriage is perfect. There are always areas which could use improvement. So to lead a successful married life, you need to evaluate these areas and pay more attention to them.  

You need to let your partner know that their opinions and feelings matter to you. Make sure, that when you talk with your partner, you make eye contact with them to let them know that you value their feelings and their thoughts.

Pay attention when your spouse is talking with you and listen to them in such a way to let them know that they are being heard. You can show you attention by leaving whatever you were doing to focus on what they have to say. Or you can show your attentiveness by repeating what your partner said in your own words to show that you understood what they had to tell you.

Let your spouse know that he or she matters to you. When discussing something try replacing negative words with positive ones instead.

Let them know that you appreciate the contributions they make

Marriage is a relationship that highly depends on love and affection towards each other. You don’t necessarily always have to make significant gestures to show your appreciation towards your partner, instead of small kind gestures are what make this relationship stronger.

Let your partner know that you do notice their contributions and you do appreciate them for doing what they do. Let them know you don’t take them for granted. Show your concern and love for them. You can also do their share of the work around the house as well. Just find a way to let them know you’re there.

Positive communication is an essential ingredient to happy and prosperous marriages. It helps in improving intimacy which holds your marriage through both good and challenging times. However, understand that effective communication skills might not come naturally to all.

Therefore you’ll have to work on your communication skills and develop them with time. While all couples communicate with each other, it’s essential that you include positive communication in marriage. In short, make sure that you listen actively, empathize with each other, and appreciate what your spouse does for you.