Communication Exercises for Couples (List)

This page displays communication exercises for couples. Communication is a very important part of speech as it is the way of delivering one’s ideas, thoughts, and opinions to others.

So if you’re specifically looking for ways to improve your communication by adopting effective communication skills for a loving relationship, this blog is of great use for you. 

Communication Exercises for Couples

Communication activities for married people are those exercises that spouses can do to reform the way they talk to each other.

Powerful and assertive communication exercises for couples can go a long way to promoting a positive and successful marriage.

As these activities occur, interaction skills are improved and the spouses learn to understand each other.

Of course, words are recognized, that’s a given, but when communication is enhanced, the spouses know the importance behind those words.

This includes how their partner feels, and why they say something.

The following are some of the best communication exercises for couples:

1. Copycat 

This game is goal-oriented, meaning that a pair is working towards the same goals, and that goal involves effective communication.

For this exercise, the couple sits back and forth with the same set of building blocks in front of each of them. 

One partner uses their blocks to make some kind of building or structure. The builder partner then forwards a set of instructions to the other partner to help him or her build the specific same structure.

The listener partner must try to build the same structure on the instructions of the speaker partner.

The game requires some serious coordination and good communication and can be replicated when needed to help a couple develop their skills.

2. Minefield

“Minefield” is a physical game that will not only get both partners up and down but will also necessitate a lot of trust and communication to complete the challenge.

For this activity, you are going to need a blindfold for one person, some space to maneuver, and some items with which you can build a minefield or obstacle course.

When the course is ready to go, blindfold one of the partners and take them to the room.

The task here is for the non-blindfolded partner to direct the blindfolded partner through the obstacle course using verbal communication only.

The pair can only succeed if the blindfolded partner has faith in the partner and the non-blindfolded partner is a successful verbal communicator.

Feelings of frustration are popular in this game, but it can be a great way to illustrate communication problems or, alternatively, to illustrate the communication strengths of a couple.

3. Twenty Questions Times Two

If you recall the “Twenty Questions” series, you can know the game. It can be used to help couples interact, share important information, and reinforce their relations. 

For this activity, the couple must take out some time on their own, without distractions.

Before playing the game, each partner will send a list of 20 detailed personal questions to the other partner.

The couple is meant to feel free to get imaginative! The two partners take turns asking each other one question at a time. 

When they’ve done asking each other their questions, they ‘re expected to reverse them!

Rather of answering questions like, “What’s your favorite color? Every partner is going to say, “What is my favorite color?

This fun twist on a closely associated game will result in more understanding and knowledge of your spouse and, hopefully, improved communication skills.

4. Fireside Chats

During his presidency, President Franklin D. Roosevelt used informal radio broadcasts to address the country.

The word “fireside talk” was used to evoke memories of a discussion with the President in front of a cozy fireplace. 

In this verbal contact activity, couples are advised to arrange a “fireside chat” with each other once a week for a period of 15 to 30 minutes.

This practice helps partners to use calm and polite expressions to address different issues.

All obstacles must be minimized and ignored, with the emphasis being on each other. “Fireside chats” may discuss either surface or deeper content, and typically depends on the severity of a few issues.

If the magnitude is high, it is recommended that a couple begin “safer” discussions, such as pop culture, world affairs, or entertainment, before moving on to more intense, contentious topics.

5. High-Low

This verbal communication exercise enables people to express themselves freely, while their partner uses attentive listening techniques.

This practice can be done during the later part of the evening (i.e. at dinner or bedtime) and helps a couple to check-in on the most important aspects of their day.

For this activity, every partner is asked to share the best part of their day, their “high” and the most frustrating part of their day, their “low.”

As one partner shares, the other uses active listening techniques to convey sympathy and understanding.

6. Eye See You

Eye see you is a non-verbal communication practice based solely on eye contact. For this activity, two chairs are positioned facing each other in a calm, calming environment.

Both parties are required to stay in eye contact for five minutes, without breaking or looking away.

In this practice, individuals are encouraged to allow internal thoughts and feelings to the surface. 

As the conclusion of the exercise, couples are encouraged to explore their experience, levels of comfort or discomfort, and body sensations.

That person is given the opportunity to guess what their partner was thinking in order to determine the relationship and whether non-verbal signals came across.

7. Play Positive Language Games

A meaningful language game is another set of relationship development and communication activities for couples.

Couples communication entails a lot of difficulties. Reactive, presumptuous, and accusatory conduct is the greatest barrier to enhancing communication in a relationship.

This is one of the powerful communication skills that couples need to replace negative language with positive language. 

The next time you ‘re about to say something negative about your partner ‘s actions or attitude, hold back and come up with a more positive manner to get your statement across.

It makes people more mindful of how they interact and can reverse harmful patterns of communication.

These bonding practices for married couples help break the toxic and harmful contact patterns of a relationship.

You should also be aware of How to talk to a narcissist, in case your partner is one.

Recommended Amazon Tools and Books 

The following is a list of some of the best books for couples to help them improve their communication skills to strengthen their relationship with their spouse.

All of these books are easily available on the Amazon Store.

Just click the book you wish to study and you will be redirected to the page form where you can access it.

• Relationship Workbook for Couples: A Guide to Deeper Connection, Trust, and Intimacy for Couples – Young and Old by Rachel Stone  | Apr 1, 2019
• The CBT Couples Toolbox: Over 45 Exercises to Improve Communication, Navigate Problems and Build Strong Relationships by John Ludgate and Tereza Grubr | Jul 3, 2018
• The Power of Two Workbook: Communication Skills for a Strong & Loving Marriage (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook) by Susan Heitler and Abigail Hirsch | Nov 1, 2003
• The Couple’s Survival Workbook: What You Can Do To Reconnect With Your Partner and Make Your Marriage Work by David Olsen and Douglas Stephens  | Jan 21, 2011
• Couple Skills: Making Your Relationship Work by Matthew McKay Ph.D., Patrick Fanning, et al. | Dec 1, 2006

How can couples improve communication?

There are various ways to improve communication.

Communication can be improved by spending time talking with each other, using ‘I’ statements rather than ‘you’ statement, being specific, avoiding mindreading and overthinking, expressing pessimistic feelings and emotions constructively, listening actively without being defensive, and so forth.

How do you do couples therapy at home?

Couples therapy can be done at home by making a list of fun activities and performing them together, resolving all conflicts before sleeping, having an honest hour for at least once a month, having a date with each other at least once in a week, sparing some time for each other, leaving things till Sunday, and so on.

How do you rebuild intimacy in a relationship?

Intimacy in a relationship can be rebuilt by altering patterns of starting sex, holding each other’s hands more often, keeping a daily routine, and sexual intimacy separate from each other, separating some time to spend with each other, focusing on affectionate touch, and so forth.

Which is the fastest way to kill your connection?

Blaming and bullying may be the quickest way to ruin your relation beyond all-out aggressive behavior.

Such actions express disdain for your mate, suggesting you perceive him or her as behind you or as worthy of scorn.

What is the Gottman Method?

The Gottman Technique is a couple counseling strategy that involves a thorough analysis of the partner relationship and incorporates research-oriented approaches focused on the Sound Connection House Hypothesis.

How can I save my relationship?

A relationship can be saved by working on an individual first, fighting constructively, practicing gratitude ore often, spending time together, celebrating each other’s important events, and staying curious about each other.

This blog provided you with some of the most effective communication exercises for couples.

If you have any questions or queries regarding this blog, let us know through your comments. We will be glad to assist you in this regard.

References 

49 Communication Activities, Exercises, and Games by Courtney E. Ackerman (2020)

15 Powerful Communication Exercises For Couples To Grow Closer by John & Emily (2018)

Couples Communication Boosters – Top 5 Activities You Must Try By Rachael Pace, 2020

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