5 Ways to Increase Intimacy with Your Partner
When most people think of intimacy, their mind immediately goes to sexual intimacy. For many people, the sexual connection that they have with their partners is a very important one. Many people find it surprising to hear that there are many ways to have intimacy in a relationship. A healthy relationship often has strong bonds for physical AND emotional intimacy.
Why Is Emotional Intimacy Important For A Relationship?
While the physical aspects of a relationship are important, the emotional side of things is even more so. When you have a strong emotional connection, it helps to build a foundation of trust between the two of you. You can feel comfortable being vulnerable with one another without fear of judgment or someone taking what you say the wrong way.
When emotional intimacy is lacking in a relationship, it can affect other areas. You may not be able to successfully communicate with each other about your needs and wants, which can lead to unnecessary arguments or tension. Here are five ways you can increase intimacy in your relationship.
1. Try Out New Things
Are you always going on the same type of date? Or doing the same things over and over again? Instead, try out new hobbies or date night ideas you both might enjoy. When introducing new things to your relationship, you are helping to reignite that spark and flame that may have dulled down since the beginning. Nothing can make you feel closer to your partner than that!
2. Focus On Physical Touch That Isn’t In The Bedroom
There are more ways to be physically in tune with one another besides the bedroom stuff. It might sound very high school-ish, but remember how nice it felt just to hold hands? Or give each other a massage or slight shoulder squeeze? Physically touching one another does not have to always lead to sex if you don’t want it to. However, it can help you feel closer to one another by being in close contact.
3. Talk Honestly
Remember the days when you were able to talk to each other for hours? And the conversation topics never seemed to run out? No matter how much time you have been together, you can go back to those nice long conversations with each other. A great way to increase intimacy is to be honest with each other. If you are really struggling with how work is going, or maybe your children are frustrating you, or just anything at all—talk to your partner about it. It is not only showing them that you have trust but will make them feel good knowing that you want their advice.
4. Show Gratitude
It’s inevitable. After some time has passed, you both stop saying thank you or noticing the little things they do to make your life easier. It’s common to take those we love for granted. When you see them doing something you appreciate, say it aloud. Don’t assume that they know that you appreciate it. It might seem small, but reminding each other that you still see them doing these things can help to strengthen your intimacy levels.
5. Focus On Your Friendship, Too
Your relationship is more than just a romantic one. It is one that was also based on a friendship at one point. It’s common for couples to just switch from being only friends to being in a relationship or married. But, the friendship should always remain and be tended to. Go back to the basics of what drew you to one another in the first place. It will help you feel that connection that seems missing.
As a couples therapist, I know how important and crucial emotional intimacy is for a relationship. If you are struggling to feel close to your partner, reach out to me for couples counseling, so I can help you find your way together again.
