While communicating, both professionally and socially, what matters are not the words, but the nonverbal cues which speak the loudest. Non-verbal communication requires full focus on the moment-to moment experience. As well as being present, one can improve his or her own non-verbal communication by learning to develop emotional awareness. Stress, for example, compromises the ability to communicate. Remember, emotions are contagious. If you are feeling upset, you are very likely to make others upset. If you are stressed, take a time out. Calm down before you go back and join the conversation. Once you have regained your emotional balance, you will feel that you are ready to deal with such a compromising situation in a positive way. Being emotionally aware enables you to accurately read other people, including the emotions they are feeling. It also enables you to create trust in relationships by sending non-verbal signals.