Real Health Podcast: How to beat social anxiety and build better relationships with Dr Harry Barry

What makes a good conversation, though? Is it a topic everyone is interested in? Or is it about being a good listener and knowing what to say and how to say it?

This week on Real Health I’m delighted to be joined by Dr Harry Barry to chat about those important skills we need to build strong relationships.

Dr Barry’s new book, The Power of Connection looks at all the fundamental communication skills we need and may have forgotten, from the importance of a handshake to reading body language.

Making connections is important in every part of our lives. Simply having a chat with someone at work or with a family member isn’t enough to really make an impact.

“If you want to find the quickest way to someone's heart, romantically, or to make a personal connection in business or in relationships or in friendships or family, emotions as to where to go.

“If you don't sense the emotions coming from another person, then you're missing a critical part" says Dr Barry.

Something we may be uncomfortable with though, is the idea of silence in a conversation. It’s easy to think that silence when speaking to someone is bad thing or an indication it isn’t going well. Dr Barry however, says it can one of the most important parts of that chat. What does silence mean?

“What actually is happening is [the person you are speaking to] want to say something, but they're waiting for you to give them the space. Or they're thinking, will I say this? So you give them the space.

“Or it might be something very personal, like a loss of somebody where words just don't cut it. Sometimes just being quiet and saying nothing, just being there for the person, that's enough. So silence is a is a wonderful way of communicating, but it's another form of listening.”

We also discuss how our wellbeing is being impacted by the changes to our working lives, with some much of our daily interactions happening online.

For more episodes, tips and advice from the show just click here.

And you can get in touch - I’m @KarlHenryPT on Instagram and you can email me at realhealth@independent.ie.

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