Cultivating Intimacy Outside of Sex

There’s no denying that sex is a very important part of romantic relationships. You’ve probably heard the act referred to as “being intimate,” but there are many other ways to create and cultivate intimacy in a relationship outside of sex. Intimacy is the emotional connectedness and closeness shared between people, and there are many ways to have this outside of physical intimacy. A lack of emotional intimacy will eventually cause disconnection that sex can not fix. Keep reading to learn how to improve intimacy in your relationship! 

Embrace open and clear communication, even if it’s hard or uncomfortable. Being vulnerable builds trust in relationships and trust leads to more emotional intimacy. Take a walk together, share details about your day, and hold hands. Hand holding is a great way to bump up the oxytocin (the ‘love’ hormone) which helps to bond and increase trust. Non-sexual touch like a simple hug and handholding is just as powerful, if not more, than going straight to bed.  

Continue your communication and tell your partner how much they mean to you and what you are grateful for as often as you can. Many times, we are so bogged down by the day-to-day that we forget to let our partner know just how much they mean to us. Take it past verbal affirmation; writing an old-school letter is a great way to create intimacy and show love. Having something tangible will make it feel extra special.

Good sex doesn’t always happen naturally but having a foundation of emotional intimacy to fall back on, can lead to better sex while also helping relationships stay strong through all kinds of up and downs. That's why we feel learning how to improve intimacy in a relationship is so important. Hopefully our tips on how to increase physical intimacy in a relationship will help you and your partner bond in a close and meaningful way!