THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION IN A RELATIONSHIP

Communication makes up for almost everything to do with life. In a relationship, you and your partner are not strangers. You can talk about anything and everything concerning the two of you. Learn the importance of communication below, including setting expectations, venting to relieve stress, and building trust.

Communication is the key to a long and healthy relationship. There is also the importance of communication in a relationship. Most of you, if not all, have been in love sometime in your life. It is this feeling that compels people to get into a relationship. Everyone deserves to be in a healthy, loving relationship. With the right person by your side, this is attainable. You all want to be that "relationship goals" couple. There are essentials needed for a healthy relationship, including communication, respect, boundaries, trust, and support. Here is the importance of communication in a relationship.

To Avoid Misunderstandings

Misunderstandings may occur in a relationship, thus the need for communication. Each partner may perceive situations differently, creating resentment. Beck & Padesky (1990)  noted that couples might become upset with one another without knowing when or how it started without communication. Positive communication can lead to clear expectations, empathy, and care for one another's feelings.

Setting Expectations

In a relationship, it is difficult to disregard the expectations discussed. At the start of every relationship, couples should clearly state their expectations for the future. When expectations are set and agreed upon, there's no question about what's acceptable and how the other person feels. Therefore, no one can use the profound phrase "how was I supposed to know?"

Knowing Each Other

Couples who do not communicate may fall into an unfortunate pattern of simply with one another without really knowing each other well. In a relationship, you will always have fresh experiences that come with each day. With open, frequent conversations, a relationship can get profoundly deep.

To Strengthens Relationships 

With positive communication, couples can rely on each other to talk about their fears, memories, dreams, and simple everyday things. It is good for an individual and better for a couple to openly voice their concerns without fear of blow-out arguments stemming from miscommunication. Better communication strengthens the foundation of every relationship. If you don't communicate with your partner, you lose touch with them, and the relationship declines.

To Understand the Love Language

According to Chapman (2010), love language is the most important factor in a relationship. It is important to understand your partner's love language for your relationship to last. Sometimes love language portrays words of affirmation, meaning that how you communicate plays a key role in how you affirm somebody. Another mode of communication is through physical touch. If you act distant, what do you expect your partner to feel? Learning how your partner likes to give and receive love will aid your relationship enormously.

To Create a Friendship with Your partner

Friendship is the core of a strong relationship. Feelings are formed and expressed to ensure that both sides are on board to form a relationship. Navigating a new relationship can be difficult or confusing if your partner does not communicate their feelings. You can't create a firm foundation on anything unclear. At the beginning of any relationship, both partners should state their expectations and plans for the relationship.

To Keep in Touch with Their Lives 

Both partners need to communicate to be updated on whatever is happening in their partner's life. This mostly applies to long distant relationships, where you don't see each other often. Ask things like how their day went or events happening in their lives. It may not seem impactful at first. However, these little things matter. If the features get lost along the way, the other may find it hard to understand how exactly you feel. These little things make up life at the end of the day.

To Vent and Relieve Stress

Venting helps ease tension and release stress. Having someone you trust enough to share these things with them is important. It is good for you and shows that you trust them too. Honest communication builds high levels of trust because your partner understands what you are going through. Letting your partner in helps you feel secure around each other and gives you a sense of relief.

To Build Trust

Building trust in a relationship takes time. Mistrust and heartbreaks from previous relationships may be a hindrance to this. Shockley-Zalabak & Ellis (2006) noted that communication is important in building trust among partners. Trust can easily be built when both partners are willing to have honest conversations without the fear of judgment or resentment from the other. As you learn to confide in your partner on anything concerning you, it builds your confidence to trust them.

It Enables partners to be Supportive of Each Other

One of the thrilling features of a relationship is having someone you can depend on when confronted with challenges. When you face challenges, you need someone to share your frustrations with. Battling challenges alone can be hard if your partner is unaware. This can trigger disagreements in the time when you are emotionally unavailable or psychologically unbalanced. Notifying your partner enables them to understand and support you.

Conclusion 

If you are in a relationship, you need to communicate with your partner. It gives you the chance to learn more about them. It also builds your relationship and deepens your love for each other. Communication determines how strong the foundation of a relationship will be. If you're struggling to build better communication, remember that not everything can be achieved at a go. Always keep trying because, after all, no human is perfect.

References

Beck, A. T., & Padesky, C. A. (1990). Love is never enough. Center for Cognitive Therapy.

Chapman, G. (2010). The 5 Love Languages/Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married 

Set. Moody Publishers.

Shockley-Zalabak, P., & Ellis, K. (2006). The Communication of Trust. The IABC handbook Of Organizational Communication, 44-55.