Effective communication is an essential component of human relationships. Learning and practicing effective communication techniques is well worth the time and effort, resulting in stronger interpersonal ties and greater relationship. One of the most basic components of effective communication is the ability to communicate needs and feelings clearly without creating defensiveness in the other party. One way to achieve this is to use “I messages” and “I feel” statements. “I am having trouble dealing with my anxiety about our family’s spending habits and my worries are keeping me awake at night” is an “I message” in which the speaker describes the problem without accusing or placing blame. “I feel taken for granted when I find dirty dishes on the table and wet towels on the bathroom floor” is an “I feel” statement, simple and straightforward. Nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, body language and hand gestures also play an important role in effective communication. Just as a badly chosen word or a raised voice can upset a listener and close the door to further dialogue. One way to ensure that nonverbal signals don’t destroy communication is to remain calm and avoid becoming overly stressed during a discussion.