On many occasions, the content of a gesture, a smile or even a posture not only complements the message, but also provides more information than words.
The value of non-verbal communication is widely studied and influences both social and family and work relationships.
Specifically, a study by Albert Mehrabian shows that 55% of communication corresponds to gestural language, ahead of the 38% that belongs to the intention when speaking and the 7% of oral communication itself. These data confirm the relevance of communication skills in each of the spheres of our daily lives.
How does wearing a mask influence non-verbal language?
As in many other areas, The coronavirus has also generated changes in non-verbal communication making the mask a novel element that somewhat limits the capacity for facial expression, but to which we must adapt during the famous “new normal.”
That is why in this article we would like to tell you about the limitations it generates in our usual communication and how we can minimize these effects to prevent gestural richness from being lost.
1. Trust your ability to adapt
Darwin already stated that “those who adapt best survive,” and luckily the brain is perfectly capable of facing changes and assuming them normally.
The initial feeling of strangeness when having a conversation with a person with part of their face covered progressively transforms into something natural and therefore this pattern is internalized without generating significant alterations
The same thing is replicated in the emotional sphere; At first it was peculiar to arrive at a place and not greet with the previous codes, and now the absence of said physical contact is not surprising.
It is precisely this plasticity of the brain that allows us not only to reinforce neuronal connections that already exist but also to generate new circuits that are exercised over time.
2. The look, more important than ever
Although much of facial communication belongs to the eyes and eyebrows, losing smile information can reduce the ability to show empathy and trust In addition, the mask alters the tone and volume when speaking, which can cause difficulties in understanding.
For this reason, we must compensate for this deficit by enhancing other aspects of non-verbal communication, such as body movements or hand gestures.
Focusing on the gaze of the person we are talking to and making this the richest source of information will make us experts in both its interpretation and its use in our expression. From this point of view, the use of the mask can generate positive effects on the detail of facial expression
3. Be careful with misunderstandings
Changes in tone projection and the absence of certain gestural support can generate erroneous interpretations in communication. This may affect irony more specifically being more complicated to abstract from the literal part without expressions that facilitate understanding of the intention.
In the same way that communication through messages is prone to producing misunderstandings, this special mode of communication may at some point require assurance by the speaker that the message sent and the message received correspond.
Despite the difficulties that appear with the use of the mask, We must not forget its main objective, to protect ourselves
It will not be difficult to put into perspective the inconvenience it produces in us if we remember the beginning and evolution of the pandemic, taking our mind to that moment will help to value what was once an essential element, but one that was complicated to acquire and, in turn, the way to protect ourselves from a powerful enemy.
Furthermore, the fact that they are part of our current routine can be another way to express aspects of our personality, tastes or preferences, since the market has multiplied and the supply of masks and their customization is practically infinite.
Special cases
Finally, it is necessary to clarify that certain groups may be especially affected by its use This is the case, for example, of people with hearing difficulties, who require lip support at many times, or of children who obtain much of the information from the adult’s gestures.
At a professional level it can also produce handicaps in jobs in which displays of empathy and trust are important, this is the case of doctors or psychologists among others.
However, we must once again see it as a useful contribution that the virus leaves in our lives, since it can allow us to be more aware of something that was previously automatic and therefore improve a fundamental part of communication skills.
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