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When you hear the word intimacy between couples, some might think about their sexual bond. It’s much more than that.<\/span><\/p>\n True intimacy between couples is that powerful sense of closeness they have for one another. It’s more than just sexual gratification; it is how a couple connects emotionally, intellectually, experientially, and spiritually.<\/span><\/p>\n By achieving true intimacy, you’re not just connected as a couple in love; you also feel the stability that the both of you share as you live your life as a married couple.<\/span><\/p>\n We’ll learn the different types of intimacy, ways how we can strengthen our intimacy, and the signs that you’re already enjoying real intimacy in your relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n True intimacy in marriage is much more complex than one could imagine. Many couples believe it’s something that happens to you. However, that is different. True intimacy in marriage is something that needs to be worked on.<\/span><\/p>\n Yes, your relationship can have limitless love and passion without ever trying for it, but intimacy takes some effort and deliberation. This article will discuss some crucial questions regarding intimacy in marriage and what it is and isn’t.<\/span><\/p>\n Now that we know why intimacy is important in marriage, it’s time to understand the different types of intimacies and how they apply and strengthen a romantic relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n We might have heard this before. Some couples, thinking that it’s not that important, often neglect <\/span>spiritual intimacy<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n However, spiritual intimacy or Christian marriage intimacy is a beautiful experience of allowing yourself to move closer to God as you grow closer to one another. <\/span><\/p>\n As we can find in the biblical intimacy in marriage, spiritual intimacy can be a source of strength and support in a relationship. It gives the couple a sense of purpose, meaning, and hope.<\/span><\/p>\n It can also provide a sense of inner <\/span>peace<\/span><\/a> when you’re troubled and a deeper understanding of the world and each person’s role in it.<\/span><\/p>\n Ultimately, spiritual intimacy can deepen the bond between partners and bring them closer together on a profound level.<\/span><\/p>\n This may be the most common definition of people when we talk about true intimacy. Indeed, it’s part of the intimacy list because a couple who is in love will make love.<\/span><\/p>\n Sexual intimacy is that close and connected experience shared between two people in love. It involves physical and emotional acts that are sexual. It can range from holding hands, kissing, and hugging to sexual intercourse and everything in between.<\/span><\/p>\n It’s how you show your partner love, respect, and affection. It’s also a way how you can deepen your connection as a couple.<\/span><\/p>\n When we talk about intellectual intimacy, we mean the level of closeness between couples based on their love of learning, sharing mutual interests, and how they converse, share ideas, and even have healthy debates.<\/span><\/p>\n Having an intellectually intimate relationship with your partner will feed your intelligence and curiosity and allow both of you to grow.<\/span><\/p>\n This type of intimacy can bring a sense of excitement to your relationship as it stimulates your thinking and, thus, deepens your connection with each other.<\/span><\/p>\n Having <\/span>intellectual intimacy<\/span><\/a> in your relationship can also provide your relationship with a sense of validation and support for each partner’s intellectual passions and pursuits.<\/span><\/p>\n What is true intimacy in terms of emotional aspects? <\/span>Emotional intimacy<\/span><\/a> refers to the intimate and connected experience of the couple. It’s that deep sense of emotional closeness, trust, and even showing one’s vulnerability.<\/span><\/p>\n It’s a sense of closeness apart from any physical touch, built upon mutual respect, understanding, and <\/span>empathy<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Emotional intimacy involves two people comfortably sharing their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. In return, both partners feel seen, heard, and supported.<\/span><\/p>\n If you are in a relationship with emotional intimacy, you will feel safe sharing your secrets, hopes, fears, and even doubts. You know you won’t face judgment or rejection.<\/span><\/p>\n Emotional intimacy is an essential aspect of a healthy and fulfilling relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n Learning the true intimacy meaning is step one. The next step is to build intimacy in your relationship. It might surprise you that building intimacy in your marriage or relationship is easy.<\/span><\/p>\n You must be aware, willing, and put effort into these acts. Here are some ways how you can build true intimacy.<\/span><\/p>\n The first thing that usually pops into a person’s mind when they hear the word “intimacy” is sex. And, if you were to sift through magazines in search of advice on intimacy in marriage, you’d probably come across many articles that associate the two. <\/span><\/p>\n You can even find out that, without sex, you stand zero chance of true intimacy in a relationship. Is this the case?<\/span><\/p>\n The short answer is no, it isn’t. Now, the longer one. Sex is a complicated matter in itself, and it can occur in many shades, between a senseless act and the most profound expression of intimacy.<\/span><\/p>\n Therefore, although it is somewhat associated with true intimacy in marriage, these two phenomena cannot be considered the same.<\/span><\/p>\n If this sounds like something is missing, you might be right. Let’s not ignore the contribution that physical love provides to a marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, this is only the case if it is done right. What does it mean? Physical love can take many shapes and forms. For it to symbolize intimacy, it must suit both partners; it must be spontaneous and free of any pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n If it is wild sex, great! If it is just holding hands, that is also great! There is no prescription for it, but to be sure, it’s your genuine expression of love and care. Ignore the magazines. Pick your display of closeness.<\/span><\/p>\n Bottom line: Use your love language to show your love.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Many couples feel that the manifestation of true intimacy in marriage is being together all the time. However, same as with the previous misconception about marriage, the issue is much more complex than that. <\/span><\/p>\n And similarly, it can’t be said that spending your free time together is necessary for true marital intimacy.<\/span><\/p>\n Moreover, couples can be inseparable from one another for entirely wrong reasons, the complete opposite of intimacy. <\/span><\/p>\n If a relationship develops into an unhealthy dynamic of codependence, for example, the spouses will feel unbearable anxiety if they’re apart. But this is a toxic connection that can’t be further from true intimacy.<\/span><\/p>\n For an individual to feel intimate with another human being, they need to feel comfortable within themselves. <\/span><\/p>\n To achieve this level of confidence, you need to nurture your interests and pursue your passions, so you shouldn’t be afraid of spending time apart here and there. It won’t drive you apart; it will bring you closer together.<\/span><\/p>\n Bottom line: Spend time together to strengthen your bond, but also value the time you have for yourselves to grow.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Another myth surrounding the question of true intimacy in marriage revolves around expressing negative emotions and frustration. It is perfectly normal to experience a range of negative feelings towards your spouse.<\/span><\/p>\n You spend much time together and share many aspects of your life. Friction is bound to happen. However, many couples fear these emotions, as they interpret them as a sign of looming detachment.<\/span><\/p>\n This isn’t the case. What could happen unexpectedly is that you become distant if you avoid expressing your feelings, dissatisfaction, and doubts. As <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> shows, there are several ways in which intimacy is avoided, and some include precisely evading open and direct expressions of negative emotions.<\/span><\/p>\n Bottom line: Talk to each other and don’t be afraid to open up.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Start learning how to create intimacy by showing appreciation to your partner. We all know that no one wants to feel that unappreciated.<\/span><\/p>\n When you’re in love, you do things out of your heart, but you also want your partner to show they appreciate your efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n There could be many ways to show your appreciation for your partner. You can write a letter, kiss them goodnight and thank them for the day, or tell them how much you appreciate them upfront.<\/span><\/p>\n Bottom line: Appreciation can make a tremendous difference in your relationship and to your partner.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Did you know we can achieve true intimacy through shared experiences, including having fun?<\/span><\/p>\n By spending time together and doing things together, you build core memories for your marriage. Aside from that, this strengthens your bond, allows you to learn more about each other, and relieve stress together.<\/span><\/p>\n Run together, watch a movie, swim, go on a picnic, cook a new dish together, or do something cute and silly.<\/span><\/p>\n Bottom line: Have fun, spend time together, and enjoy each other’s company.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Intimacy and marriage go hand in hand. We may learn it’s nice to build memories and experiences, but even when it gets tough, we can still build intimacy.<\/span><\/p>\n When your partner feels off, stressed or sad, be there for them. Never allow them to feel alone in their battle. You don’t have to solve their problems, but you are already doing so much just by being there.<\/span><\/p>\n Comforting them, listening, and offering advice can do so much. A couple with true intimacy is there for each other through thick and thin. They provide emotional support during difficult times and celebrate each other’s accomplishments.<\/span><\/p>\n Bottom line: Always be there for your partner or spouse.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Spiritual or Christian intimacy in marriage is all about strengthening your spiritual intimacy. How do you do that? How does it help nurture true intimacy?<\/span><\/p>\n Spiritual intimacy nurtures the relationship by understanding one’s purpose, values, beliefs, and a connection to a higher power.<\/span><\/p>\n A couple can strengthen it by listening to a sermon, attending weekly service, reading a devotional and taking turns telling what they got out of it. You can also choose to serve together at a food pantry, homeless shelter, or local ministry.<\/span><\/p>\n Bottom line: Spiritual intimacy can deepen the bond between partners and bring them closer together.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Do you want to know how to build intimacy in your day-to-day lives? Practice active listening.<\/span><\/p>\n Listening to your partner is essential to building and maintaining intimacy in a relationship. You just don’t listen for the sake of it. True intimacy involves actively paying attention to what your partner is saying.<\/span><\/p>\n You don’t judge, interrupt, or give unsolicited advice. Effective listening also involves giving your partner your full attention. This is also respect and you can do this by setting aside your gadgets.<\/span><\/p>\n Listening to one another will also help prevent future misunderstandings and conflicts. It’s a fundamental part of communication.<\/span><\/p>\n Bottom line: Active listening can build trust, increase intimacy, and strengthen the bond between partners.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Want to learn active listening skills? Alex Lyon, Ph.D., shares some skills that you can use to be able to listen actively. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>What does true intimacy in marriage mean?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>4 types of intimacy in marriage<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
1. Spiritual intimacy<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Sexual intimacy<\/b><\/h3>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> 10 Ways on How to Reconnect With Your Spouse Sexually<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
3. Intellectual intimacy<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Emotional intimacy<\/b><\/h3>\n
<\/span>10 ways to build true intimacy in marriage<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
1. Show your love and make love<\/b><\/h3>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> 30 Signs He Is Making Love to You<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
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<\/p>\n2. Give your time<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Have long and meaningful conversations<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Appreciate one another<\/b><\/h3>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> 8 Ways to Show Appreciation to the Love of Your Life<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
5. Laugh and have fun<\/b><\/h3>\n
6. Be present and emotionally available<\/b><\/h3>\n
7. Build your faith together<\/b><\/h3>\n
8. Listen to your partner<\/b><\/h3>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> How to Use Active Listening and Validation to Improve Your Marriage<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n