Body Awareness in Marriage Counseling
Our words convey our thoughts but our body speaks volume. Most of us aren’t very aware of the signals our body sends. Most of us aren’t that aware of our bodies at all, except when they start giving us problems. One observation a counselor may make during you marriage counseling session is the body language between a couple.
What are some signs that you are open and receptive or conversely, closed and shut down? Here’s what one expert has to say:
1. Don’t cross your arms or legs – You have probably already heard you shouldn’t cross your arms as it might make you seem defensive or guarded. This goes for your legs too. Keep your arms and legs open.
2. Have eye contact, but don’t stare – If there are several people you are talking to, give them all some eye contact to create a better connection and see if they are listening. Keeping too much eye-contact might creep people out. Giving no eye-contact might make you seem insecure. If you are not used to keeping eye-contact it might feel a little hard or scary in the beginning but keep working on it and you’ll get used to it.
3. Don’t be afraid to take up some space – Taking up space by for example sitting or standing with your legs apart a bit signals self-confidence and that you are comfortable in your own skin.
4. Relax your shoulders – When you feel tense it’s easily winds up as tension in your shoulders. They might move up and forward a bit. Try to relax. Try to loosen up by shaking the shoulders a bit and move them back slightly.
5. Nod when they are talking – nod once in a while to signal that you are listening. But don’t overdo it and peck like Woody Woodpecker.
6. Don’t slouch, sit up straight – but in a relaxed way, not in a too tense manner.
Those are just a few ways to open up your body language. It may seem unnecessary, but your partner (as well as others around you) pick up on these subtle cues and react accordingly.
Today may be a good day to evaluate the way you come across physically. Connect more with your body and ultimately, you connect more with others.
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