Did you know, as per a recent study, 65% of individuals struggle with building intimacy in their relationships? It’s a staggering statistic that highlights a widespread issue many of us face. I can certainly relate—I once believed intimacy was solely about physical closeness, unaware of its deeper meaning.
It wasn’t until I experienced my own journey in understanding intimacy that I realized its true beauty extends far beyond the realm of the sexual act.
If you feel an emotional and psychological closeness with your partner, where you can share your thoughts and experiences with them without any fear of being judged, Congratulations! You have achieved a wonderful intimate bond with your partner that may last forever.
Now, let us see why intimacy is an essential part of any relationship, and discover things that can help you deepen intimacy in your personal relationships.
While sex is indeed an important part of intimacy, it is not the only aspect of it. It is important to understand that intimacy is relevant in various relations of life. For example, when you describe your birthday party as “intimate”, you’re highlighting the fact that it was a small group of close friends and loved ones rather than a big fancy party in a noisy night club.
Additionally, you may also be describing the quality of interaction here- suggesting that personal conversations had taken place and people bonded over similar interests. Intimacy is present in relationships with family, friends, and other trusted individuals, reflecting an emotional connection and closeness.
Having open conversations, understanding what the other person is trying to say and their feelings, giving others priority and mutual respect are what help cultivate intimacy in the real essence. Being intimate helps strengthen your relationship and brings you closer to the people you love and care about.
There are different forms of intimacy starting from emotional intimacy and going on to digital intimacy.
It basically refers to you or making people around you feel safe enough to let their guard down and show their vulnerable side. Remember to always be empathetic and understanding whenever someone opens up to you.
Some people like showing their affection by physical touch and closeness.
Sharing your thoughts and ideas might help stimulate meaningful conversations leading to a feeling of trust and affection.
Building relationships on spiritual and soulful grounds contributes to a sense of shared purpose or connection to something bigger than oneself.
Having the ability to contact someone living on the other side of the planet in seconds has paved the way to digital intimacy. Calling, texting and interacting through various social media platforms has made it easier to maintain connections and nurture intimacy.
Fear of intimacy is quite common. You have to give yourself time in order to build trust and affection towards others in order to be intimate with them.
Try to understand yourself and your attachment patterns first and then realize what might be the case if you shun intimacy with someone.
Always be open and communicate about your feelings without fearing judgment.
All your feelings are valid but don’t give into them and isolate yourself. If need be, seek professional help.
Also Read: Healthy Communication
Physical intimacy can be defined as the need and want to be with your romantic partner in close proximity. It fosters a sense of closeness, vulnerability and understanding between a couple. Intimacy can be of many types, but in this blog, we will talk specifically about physical intimacy. Physical intimacy can range from cuddling, hand holding to sexually intimate moments between you and your partner. Let us talk about that in further detail.
Just like a plant requires sunlight, water, and fertilizers for it to thrive, similarly, romantic relationships need a lot of nurturing and care to last for a long time. Physical intimacy is one of those components that nurture relationships. Here are some of the ways that physical intimacy can be expressed in a romantic relationship between two partners:
Each of these forms of physical intimacy are deeply important to foster a sense of strength, loyalty, and trust in a relationship. When you have multiple intimate moments in your relationship, not only do you feel validated, wanted and needed, it also affects you in a positive way physically.
Moments of intimacy release good hormones, like serotonin, and oxytocin, in your body, and that largely affects your physical health for the better. As romantic partners, we should be proactive about building physical intimacy and affection in our relationship, so that our partner values us, and the spark in the relationship stays alive for as long as it can.
