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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Study after study has proven that most facial expressions don’t matter much when evaluating who is happy in their marriage. However, there is one that is paramount in predicting problems in a relationship, and you don’t have to be a scientist to spot it. That one kiss of death is eye rolling. When couples come to see me, if I just watch their eyes I can usually predict where this marriage has been. You don’t have to be married to see eye rolling. Kids do it to their parents, and friends do it with each other. I have one friend who rolls her eyes all of the time, especially around certain people. She has communicated so clearly who she holds in contempt. Eye rolling can be learned, but it means the same for anyone who does it. Researchers at the University of Washington found that even when it’s accompanied by a laugh or a smile, eye-rolling is harmful because of what it indicates. Eye rolling is a sign that you no longer value your partner and that you hold them in contempt. According to Janice Kiecolt-Glaser from Ohio State University, eye rolling is a powerful indication that your relationship may need outside help. Stopping the eye rolling is the first step, but getting at the reasons behind it are important for your relationship. Eye rolling is a sarcastic, nonverbal gesture, but it never clearly states the person’s disagreement and, therefore, the partner doesn’t know how to respond.
Eye Rollers mean this when they roll:
1. They disagree with who is talking.
2. They don’t like how the person talking is saying something.
3. They are frustrated or overwhelmed with what is being said.
4. They don’t respect the person talking.
What the person feels from the eye roller:
1. Uncared for.
2. Insulted. Looked down at.
3. Not respected.
The eye roller can damage any relationship, especially a marriage. When children roll their eyes at their parents, it is assumed this has to do with their immaturity or inability to know effective ways of dealing with feelings. When partners roll their eyes at each other, it is seen more as a deliberate way of showing lack of respect or arrogance. It is perceived as abusive and distances the partners. Withdrawal of the other partner is common, and the marriage may eventually crumble due to the lack of healthy communication. Below are suggestions of what you can do if you live with an eye roller or if you are an eye roller.
1. Talk about the behavior at a time when it is not apparent and you are feeling close to your partner. Tell them how this behavior makes you feel and stick to “I statements.” An example is, “I know you love me, but when your roll your eyes after I say something, I feel like you are slapping me.”
2. If you are the eye roller, come up with a new behavior that won’t offend your spouse. Sometimes taking a deep breath and looking away can do the trick. Make a note when you are successful and ask for feedback from your partner. It will help if your partner notices it and compliments you on this effort.
3. Be more open with how you feel verbally. If you are angry or feel taken advantage of, use your words instead of your eyes. Eye rolling develops because people are afraid to say what they think, due to the possibility they will be rejected.
4. The emotion behind eye rolling is usually anger, disdain or contempt. When you see it, make note of it and ask your partner what they are feeling right now. Better to get it on the table than shut down and ignore it, especially if all that contempt is directed toward you.
We all communicate with our eyes, our mouths and our bodies. Just as we show incredible love through our gestures, we can cut someone deeply with gestures. Eye rolling is one of those gestures that can cut to the core. Replacing it with a more loving response may begin to heal your marriage in a way that years of couples’ therapy could not. –Mary Jo Rapini
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Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC, is featured on TLC’s new series, Big Medicine which completed season one and two. She is also a contributing expert for Cosmopolitan magazine, Women’s Health, First, and Seventeen magazine. Mary Jo has a syndicated column (Note to Self) in the Houston Chronicle, is a Love/Relationships columnist to HealthNewsDigest.com and “Ask Mary Jo” in Houston Family Magazine. She is an intimacy and sex counselor, and specializes in empowering relationships. She has worked with the Pelvic restorative center at Methodist Hospital since 2007.
Mary Jo is a popular speaker across the nation, with multiple repeat requests to serve as key-note speaker for national conferences. Her dynamic style is particularly engaging for those dealing with intimacy issues and relationship challenges, or those simply hanging on to unasked questions about sex in relationships. She was recently a major participant in a symposium for young girls dealing with body image and helping girls become strong women. Rapini is the author of Is God Pink? Dying to Heal and co-author of Start Talking: A Girl’s Guide for You and Your Mom about Health, Sex or Whatever. She has appeared on television programs including Montel, Fox Morning News and various Houston television and radio programs. Keep up with the latest advice at Mary Jo Rapini
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