Intimacy, both physical and emotional, is vital to make a relationship work. It’s not just about sex; intimacy involves building love, trust, and ultimately becoming a “we.” Increasing intimacy in your relationship isn’t always easy, but the benefits of a truly intimate connection are well worth the effort. Follow these simple tips for a more intimate relationship and a happy marriage.
Make the Time
One of the biggest reasons couples find it so hard to maintain intimacy in a relationship is that they can’t find the time for it between work and family. Life gets in the way, and before you know it, you’re strangers. Prevent this from happening by setting aside time specifically for your loved one or by incorporating each other into daily activities. Prepare dinner together, run errands together, or simply discuss your day during the commercial breaks of your favorite show or after the kids are asleep.
Bring Back Date Night
Add some excitement to your relationship and take a break from family life. Hire a sitter, dress up in your favorite outfit, eat at your favorite restaurant, see that movie you’ve been dying to see. Get out of the house and do something fun together. Aim for once a week. It will give you something to look forward to, as well as recharge your spirit for the upcoming week.
Spice Things Up
Remember when you first started dating, and every touch felt electric? Bring back those feelings by making a point to be physically close to your partner every chance you get. Cuddling and hand-holding release oxytocin and endorphins, which are both feel-good hormones. You’ll be feeling like teenagers again in no time.
Get Some Space
There’s a reason why distance makes the heart grow fonder. In a long-term relationship, it’s easy to get tired of seeing the same person day after day, smelling their morning breath, and listening to them tell the same stories over and over. Relationships work best when there’s still a little bit of mystery involved. Call up your friends for a night out or take up a new dance class. With a little bit of space, you’ll be more excited to see your partner and show them just how much you missed them.
Trust Your Relationship
No relationship is perfect. Don’t stress about a lack of intimacy and never try to force it; it has to happen naturally, in its own time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was your relationship. Trust that you relationship is unique and beautiful in its own way, and the rest will follow.
