## Exercise: Eye Contact

### Listen or read:

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Here is an exercise to practice eye contact during active listening:

### Exercise: Eye Contact in Active Listening

1. Find a practice partner: Ask a friend, colleague, or family member to participate in the exercise. Explain that you’re practicing making better eye contact during conversations.

2. Choose a simple topic: Ask your partner to talk about something simple, like their day or a recent experience. This allows you to focus on eye contact without worrying too much about the content.

3. Practice making eye contact:

   - Start with regular eye contact: Look your partner in the eyes as they begin speaking. Keep the eye contact natural and relaxed.
   - Use non-verbal signals: Blink and occasionally nod to show you’re listening, without staring.
   - Keep it relaxed: Occasionally glance away briefly, perhaps at their hands or the table, then return to eye contact. This helps keep the interaction natural.

4. Reflect after the conversation:

   - Ask your partner how it felt. Did they feel heard and comfortable?
   - Reflect on your experience: Was it difficult to maintain eye contact? Did it feel natural or awkward?

### Repeat this exercise

Practice regularly with different people and topics to make eye contact feel more natural and comfortable during active listening.