Words Can Change Your Brain

A calm, present, and silent mind is crucial for good communication. Use breathing exercises to calm your mind; it also helps in learning to be present. To silence your inner thoughts, use the following exercise: Ring a bell that resonates for 15 to 30 seconds and focus on the sound, even as it fades. When the sound fades completely, focus on the silence.

Negativity can harm your brain and hinder communication. To become a better communicator, focus on increasing positivity. When you express negative thoughts, your brain and the brains of those who hear you release stress hormones.

Imagine being lost in a foreign land without a map or a way to contact your friend. This situation is similar to navigating communication without a clear guide. Your inner values serve as that guide, helping you stay on track and connect with others. To identify your inner values, try this exercise:

1. Relax and ask yourself what truly matters to you.

2. Think about what makes you happy and write down the words or phrases that come to mind.

3. Repeat this process several times and compare your values.

Reflecting on your inner values regularly helps you stay resilient in difficult situations. When interacting with others, sharing your values can promote understanding and cooperation. This approach is often used in couples counseling and can lead to more compassionate and productive conversations.

When communicating, facial expressions are just as important as words. A good starting point is a smile that conveys interest and kindness, like the Mona Lisa's. To achieve this, think of a happy memory, especially one involving a loved one.

Facial expressions, combined with body language, make up your non-verbal cues. These cues are crucial as they can either confuse or engage your audience. If your expressions and body language match your words, you'll hold their attention.

Expressing genuine appreciation is a powerful way to make others more receptive. Start and end conversations with a sincere compliment to affirm the other person and encourage positive interaction. This approach works because it's heartfelt and specific. If you can't express appreciation during a conversation, consider sending a follow-up message to show your gratitude.

Using the right tone is crucial to avoid being misunderstood. A warm tone suggests compassion and sincerity, leading to cooperation. To achieve this, recall caring conversations you've had and use a lower pitch. However, it's essential to match your tone with your words to avoid confusion. A warm tone isn't always suitable, and using it in the wrong context can be misleading.

When having important conversations, it's essential to share information in a way that others can easily understand and remember. To achieve this, speak slowly and briefly, allowing the listener to process what you're saying. Aim to speak for no more than 30 seconds before pausing to let the other person ask questions or respond. Speaking slowly not only helps with understanding but also fosters respect and has a comforting effect. In contrast, speaking quickly can make others anxious or afraid. When you need to share more information, inform your conversation partner so they know to pay closer attention.

Listening deeply is also crucial for effective communication. This involves focusing your mind, paying attention to nonverbal cues, and avoiding interruptions. If you need to interject, apologize and assure the other person that what they're saying is important. When responding, address what the other person has said to maintain the flow of conversation.