4 Essential Tips to Improve Physical Intimacy In a Marriage
If you want to know how to improve physical intimacy in marriage, there are several key things you need to keep in mind.
But first, what is physical intimacy?
Physical intimacy is not just about sex. It is about sensual touch, proximity, and is characterized by friendship, romance, trust, love, companionship or strong sexual connection.
Physical intimacy can be just as important in developing and maintaining a relationship as verbal affection; not everyone views physical intimacy or certain types of physical intimacy in the same way; and physical intimacy takes time and patience to develop, even in a marriage.
Effects of lack of intimacy in a relationship
Is sex important in a relationship?
- Marriage without intimacy can fester complications like trust issues, anger, frustration and confusion for couples.
- Why is sex important in a relationship? Once sexual intimacy is lost or if it never existed in a marriage, it takes a lot of effort to rebuild intimacy in the relationship. A man’s confidence often stems from his ability to please his partner in bed, and for women a lack of intimacy in marriage equals to being unloved.
- A decline in sex life or lack of physical intimacy can lead to mood and anxiety disorders, and even punch down the immunity.
If you are having some difficulties with physical intimacy in your marriage, consider the following essential tips to improving it.
1. Take things slow
Some people are just not comfortable with physical intimacy, particularly grand gestures such as kissing or hugging in public.
So, how to increase intimacy in marriage?
There are many reasons why people might be uncomfortable or awkward when it comes to physical intimacy in marriage, so it’s important to remember that it’s okay—and sometimes necessary—to take things slower than you might like.
2. Be romantic
When most people think about physical intimacy in marriage, they think about gestures which are more or less romantic—hugging, kissing, cuddling and so on. But physical intimacy is about more than kissing—physical intimacy is about feeling comfortable and enjoying being close to your partner.
You can help the situation and enhance physical intimacy in marriage by engaging in activities that promote physical intimacy in other ways, such as (but not limited to): going on carnival rides, riding a motorcycle, going on a walk, seeing movies in theaters, sitting next to each other at restaurants instead of across the table, etc.
These small acts of physical intimacy may not seem romantic at the time, but they can go a long way towards building more comfort and affection between you and your partner, while improving the level of physical intimacy in marriage.
3. Cherish small physical signs
Physical intimacy in marriage doesn’t have to be a big, swooping hug when you see each other in public; nor does it have to be constant, up-close-and-personal kisses.
Small signs of physical intimacy or physical affection are just as important and, too many people are not as uncomfortable or potentially awkward. These smaller signs include activities such as holding hands while in private or public, playing footsie under the table, and playful behavior such as tickling or wrestling.
4. Never force physical intimacy in marriage
Sometimes you may feel like if you just make your partner hug or cuddle, they will eventually warm up to the idea of building physical intimacy in marriage—but this is a big mistake that not only makes it more likely that your partner will not want to be physically intimate, it invalidates your partner’s feelings towards intimacy as well.
It’s very important to recognize boundaries and limits in a relationship—you can work on improving physical intimacy in marriage, but you can’t force someone to be intimate with you.
Remember: have patience, take things slowly, and don’t forget that physical intimacy in marriage doesn’t have to mean cuddling on the couch every night.
Physical intimacy in marriage can be as simple as lovingly holding each other’s hands when you’re out shopping or sitting super close together at a diner booth.
How to improve marriage intimacy
Here are some more intimacy tips for improving intimacy in marriage.
- Improving intimacy in marriage requires deep, human interaction. Turn off the television, cell phone or any other electronic device when you are with your partner and spend some time talking and sharing, that will help you increase physical closeness and emotional intimacy.
- Work on your non-sexual touch to improve your overall better sex life. Don’t reserve touching for only when you’re having sex. Hair stroking, back rubs, hand holding, looking into each other’s eyes – anything that allows you and your partner to demonstrate physical affection for one another. This will help you learn about each others’ bodies and rediscover each other’s erogenous spots.
- Introduce sex toys and hot sex games in your bedroom and you will be amazed at the psychological benefits that you will enjoy, apart from the boost in your sex life.
- How to increase physical intimacy in a relationship when sex goes on a decline? Great sex is important but there are other activities that can help in increasing intimacy in marriage. Going for strolls at night, reading a book together, exercising together, reminiscing about the first date, expressing gratitude for something as small as buying grocery and even cooking dinner together while grooving to music, together.
- Let go of the bad relationship habits like arm-wrestling or belittling your partner. If there is a power struggle, don’t pull in opposite direction. The importance of intimacy in marriage can not be underlined enough. So, learn to exhibit more tenderness and openness towards your partner and soon you will find a stronger sense of sexual intimacy with your partner.
- Improve intimacy in marriage by understanding different stages of physical intimacy in a relationship. Although no two couples are alike, all relationships go through these stages of progression related to love and intimacy.
Remember building emotional intimacy outside bedroom will help in improving intimacy in marriage.
Want to have a happier, healthier marriage?
If you feel disconnected or frustrated about the state of your marriage but want to avoid separation and/or divorce, the marriage.com course meant for married couples is an excellent resource to help you overcome the most challenging aspects of being married.
Mary Fisher is a writer experienced with helping couples understand marriage, love
and relationships. She completed her studies in 2011 and is currently involved in
writing articles on intimacy, relationships and family.
