Have you ever been in a fight with your spouse, a friend, co-worker or family member and your emotions start escalating and your heart rate increases, and your breathing gets really shallow? Then it happens, you make a comment you later regret. I hope I am not the only one out there that this happens to. Having healthy communication skills isn’t as easy as it sounds. A life coach can provide education, support and encouragement so you can develop healthy communication skills.
Conflict and Healthy Communication
Conflict is an inevitable part of any relationship. When emotions escalate, arguments can quickly spiral, potentially harming the relationship deeply if left unaddressed. Getting sick and recovering can strengthen the immune system. Its’ the same with conflict in relationships. Conflict can be a major opportunity for growth and strengthening one’s relationships.
When a disagreement escalates, it doesn’t take a genius to realize our judgment gets clouded and we have impulsive reactions we later regret. When you feel yourself escalating you have a choice – keep going down the road you are on and end up saying something you might later regret or PAUSE.
Four Healthy Communication Strategies
Once you PAUSE (Pause And Understand Situation Entirely) you are able to practice the following healthy communication strategies:
- Set some boundaries: discuss and agree upon boundaries with the other person to prevent conflicts from arising in the first place. Clear boundaries provide a sense of security and respect for each other’s needs.
- Active listening: giving the other person your full attention
- Practice empathy: put yourself in the other persons shoes to better comprehend their perspective and emotions
- Take responsibility: acknowledge your role in the conflict and take responsibility for your actions or words that may have contributed to it.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom”. Viktor Frankl
Nurture Your Relationships
In conclusion, the importance of pausing and implementing these strategies, we can nurture healthy, loving relationships that withstand the test of time. This takes practice and patience, but the work is worth it. If you need help with healthy communication skills, hire a life coach. Try it and see your relationships transform.
