Enhance non-verbal cues

Communication takes place in two ways. You communicate verbally as well as non-verbally. Development of nonverbal cues plays an important role in controlling shyness.

Non-verbal cues and shyness

Development of non-verbal cues enables you to have command over communication. It gives you confidence and a much-needed coping mechanism to deal with anxiety and shyness. Non-verbal cues also help you have some level of control over your reactions. For example, you can shy away from talking, but at the same time you can show your interest through body language.

Enhancing non verbal cues

Non-verbal communication needs to be developed in the context of the culture. Special emphasis should be placed on development of eye contact, understanding facial expressions, and development of body language. Eye contact plays a major role in communication. Too much or too little eye contact can create discomfort in your partner. Therefore you should adjust your level of eye contact taking into account the comfort level of the other person. You need to pay attention to your facial expressions while talking. Frowning too much for instance is inappropriate in many situations.

Try and pay attention to all these minor details while interacting. You should also be conscious of your body language when approaching or responding to others. Effective body language expressed through gestures and postures signals the level of confidence. It also puts another person at ease and facilitates positive interactions. You should avoid making use of excessive gestures and movements while interacting. It can be quiet disturbing to the other person. Another important area of non-verbal cues is the use of voice through proper pitch, sound quality and pace of talking. Effective use of voice creates an immediate impression on the minds of other people. However, talking too softly, or too fast can create barrier in getting your message across. To enhance all these cues you need to practice constantly under an expert’s guidance. You also need to have patience as old habits die-hard. However, with patience and will, you can enhance your non-verbal cues and control your shyness in the process.

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