Benefits of Noticing Non-Verbal Cues

Becoming More Aware
Increasing your awareness of non-verbal communication is really quite simple! All it requires is paying a little bit of extra attention when you’re having a conversation. If you make a habit of noticing the expressions and gestures others make when talking to you, you’ll eventually find yourself recognizing all the ways that people express themselves without words without even thinking about it. You will also likely begin to notice your own unspoken cues. This can help you to ensure that you don’t accidentally offend someone by reacting without realizing it.

Increasing Intimacy
If you train yourself to recognize the ways in which your friends, teachers, and family are expressing themselves without words, it can make communication flow more easily.  Practicing being more attuned to your friend’s non-verbal cues will force you to become a better listener too. We’ve all had the experience of being so distracted by our own thoughts about what we’re going to say next that we totally miss what the other person is saying. If you focus on what your friend is saying aloud in addition to their expressions and gestures, it shows that you value their input. Research has shown a consistent connection between good communication and strong relationships or friendships.

Improving Empathy
Recognizing facial expressions and other non-verbal cues are also important aspects of feeling empathy. Increasing your capacity for empathy will allow you to have a deeper understanding of your friend or family member’s experiences and to better see things from their perspective. This increased understanding will help to forge a stronger, more trusting bond.

While learning more about how you communicate non-verbally can have a positive impact on many aspects of your life, there are some possible pitfalls to keep in mind.  You can read more about them here.

Written by, Dr. Paige Carambio, Psy.D. of C&C Psychological Services. See original post here.