

{"id":78,"date":"2015-05-26T04:46:56","date_gmt":"2015-05-26T04:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marriage.com\/topic\/?p=78"},"modified":"2026-03-19T10:51:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T10:51:16","slug":"4-tips-to-build-intimacy-in-a-marriage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/intimacy\/4-tips-to-build-intimacy-in-a-marriage\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Build Intimacy in a Marriage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-138\" src=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Building-Intimacy-in-Marriage-with-These-4-Tips.jpg\" alt=\"Building Intimacy in a Marriage with these 4 Tips \" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">intimacy in marriage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is easier said than done, especially when you have been married for some time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More often than not, couples are left alone to face their fears of turning into &lsquo;old, boring married people,&rsquo; and that happens to the best of us. In these times, you&rsquo;re not just out of touch with emotional and sexual support, but also, when your life is based around no ambitions, it can have serious effects on your psychological well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-is-intimacy-in-marriage\"><\/span><b>What is intimacy in marriage?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As someone who is married, you need to realize that building intimacy in marriage is the foundation of a happy and fulfilling life. Little do people know that even the smallest of acts of love and affection can turn your<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">married life<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> around!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, why intimacy is important in marriage?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creating intimacy and respect in a marriage helps couples deep-dive into their reserves of love and overcome any dissatisfaction within their marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why-building-intimacy-in-marriage-is-important\"><\/span><b>Why building intimacy in marriage is important?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building intimacy in marriage is essential for a strong and fulfilling relationship. It fosters trust, encourages vulnerability, and strengthens communication, leading to a happier and more connected partnership.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building intimacy in marriage is important because it strengthens the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/emotional-intimacy\/how-to-connect-emotionally-with-your-partner\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">emotional connection between partners.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intimacy fosters trust and encourages partners to be vulnerable with each other, which leads to deeper levels of communication and understanding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intimacy helps to build and maintain a strong and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/intimacy\/healthy-sexual-relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthy sexual relationship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is a key component of a satisfying marriage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Couples who prioritize intimacy are more likely to feel satisfied with their relationship and less likely to experience feelings of loneliness or disconnection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intimacy can help to reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness and contentment within the marriage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building intimacy requires regular effort and attention from both partners, which can help to reinforce their commitment to each other and strengthen their bond over time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/intimacy\/how-important-is-intimacy-in-a-relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">couples are intimate with each other<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, they are better equipped to handle conflicts and challenges that may arise in their relationship, as they have a foundation of trust and understanding to build upon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intimacy can also help to deepen the overall level of intimacy in the relationship, as partners become more comfortable and open with each other over time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10-ways-to-be-more-intimate-in-your-marriage\"><\/span><b>10 ways to be more intimate in your marriage<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intimacy in marriage quickly gets translated into sexual bonding. However, if you are looking for a definite answer to the question, &ldquo;how to develop intimacy?&rdquo; it is important to understand different<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/intimacy\/4-main-definitions-of-intimacy-and-what-they-mean-for-you\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">forms of intimacy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical or sexual intimacy in marriage allows you to lay bare your body, with all its imperfections, for the pleasure of your partner. While it is a private moment for couples, it is celebrated for being an act of total self-giving, trust, and love.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/emotional-intimacy\/repairing-emotional-intimacy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emotional intimacy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allows you to share your feelings and emotions with each other in the most respectful ways. Intellectual intimacy allows you to share your opinions on&nbsp; social, political, or religious issues and quench the thirst for knowledge and feed your mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spiritual intimacy allows you to find a purpose and a sense of unity in your faith and beliefs. Equally important is financial intimacy, where you share <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/ways-to-be-honest-in-a-relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">honest communication<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about finances and recreational intimacy that equips you to enjoy fun experiences together.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here are 10 ways to build intimacy in marriage:<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Encourage each other<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to be more intimate? Become the only life and personal coach your spouse will ever need.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Motivate them during difficult times and acknowledge their efforts when they accomplish something. Express your respect for your spouse, and likewise, they will respect you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compliment them both, in private and public, and inspire them to become better person.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you&rsquo;re doing all this in your marriage, your spouse won&rsquo;t have to look elsewhere for encouragement.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Laugh with each other<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psypost.org\/2017\/06\/study-finds-good-humor-linked-good-relationships-49227\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Laughter and happiness drive intimacy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in marriage and are the best ways to keep things in perspective during difficult times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When things are serious and intimacy in marriage takes a downturn, never miss a moment to share a laugh and lighten up the mood. Learn to control your anger and encourage your spouse to do the same, as becoming angry is never the solution.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that with your spouse by your side, you can accomplish anything as long as you have a positive mindset and you can laugh about it while enjoying lasting intimacy in marriage<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Open talk<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-41258 size-full\" title=\"The biggest barrier in building intimacy in marriage is the communication barrier\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Relationship-Expectations-%E2%80%93-What-Should-You-Do-with-These.jpg\" alt=\"The biggest barrier in building intimacy in marriage is the communication barrier\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biggest barrier to building intimacy in marriage is the communication barrier. It is crucial to know if your partner is happy or otherwise, and equally important is to communicate how you feel and what you think.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By building open and honest communication with your spouse, you will also be able to answer how to get intimate with your partner and rekindle the passion in your marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that open talks are the first step towards building intimate marriages. Everyone makes mistakes but what creates further issues; is when they are not dealt with properly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unresolved problems and misunderstandings are the first steps towards an unhappy marriage which may eventually lead to divorce.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Invest more time in open talks with your spouse rather than discussing these issues with your friends and family.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After all, it&rsquo;s your concern, and you have to deal with it yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Forgive and be forgiven<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No intimacy in marriage from husband or wife? Be mindful of disconnecting from your spouse, as a lack of satisfaction in a relationship can even lead to cheating or any other forms of transgressions in marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3156929\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being forgiving<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and not withholding sex to punish your spouse or win a power struggle can go a long way in building intimacy with your spouse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A partner who has indulged in sexual indiscretions in the past could also be withholding sex due to the inability to open up sexually to the hurt spouse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For creating intimacy, it is important to express anger or hurt in a healthy way, and not use sex as a bargaining tool or weapon.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developing intimacy in a relationship becomes a lost cause when sex is used as a weapon in relationships&nbsp; to settle scores, as it ultimately leads to a breakdown in the relationship, leaving no intimacy in the marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forgiving your spouse for their past mistakes is never easy, but it&rsquo;s always a good step to take for the sake of rebuilding intimacy in marriage.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&rsquo;s easy to get offended and create conflicts in marriage, but it&rsquo;s very difficult to rectify them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look at things from your spouse&rsquo;s perspective and try to understand why they did what they did that led to this situation. When you can forgive your spouse for the mistakes they made, they will be willing to forgive you when you&rsquo;re at fault.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading:<\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/forgiveness\/benefits-of-forgiveness-in-a-relationship\/\"> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 Benefits of Forgiveness in Romantic Relationships<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>5. Communicate openly and honestly<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Effective communication is key to building intimacy. Couples should make a habit of discussing their feelings, thoughts, and desires with each other. They should also be willing to listen actively and attentively to their partner&rsquo;s perspective.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open and honest communication creates a sense of trust and strengthens the emotional connection between partners.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Make time for each other<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In today&rsquo;s fast-paced world, it&rsquo;s easy for couples to get caught up in the demands of work and family life. It&rsquo;s important to carve out quality time to spend together.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This could be as simple as going for a walk, cooking dinner together, or planning a date night. Making time for each other shows that you prioritize your relationship and value your partner&rsquo;s company.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/making-time-for-you-and-your-spouse\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making Time For You And Your Spouse<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>7. Be affectionate<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Affection is an essential component of intimacy. Simple acts like holding hands, hugging, and kissing can go a long way in strengthening the emotional and physical connection between partners. Regular displays of affection show that you care for and appreciate your partner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being affectionate is an essential part of any relationship. Check out some simple tips to become a more affectionate partner.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kzgrjRQDNg8\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">&#65279;<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Explore each other&rsquo;s interests<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One way to build intimacy is to explore each other&rsquo;s interests. Take an interest in your partner&rsquo;s hobbies and passions. Try new things together and discover shared interests. Exploring each other&rsquo;s interests creates a sense of closeness and helps to foster a deeper understanding of each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>9. Prioritize sexual intimacy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual intimacy is a crucial part of a healthy marriage. It&rsquo;s important to make time for physical intimacy and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/prioritize-your-relationship-partner-and-sexual-connection\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prioritize it in the relationship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Couples should be open and honest about their desires and work together to create a fulfilling and satisfying sexual relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>10. Show gratitude and appreciation<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expressing gratitude and appreciation is an excellent way to build intimacy in a marriage. It&rsquo;s important to acknowledge and recognize your partner&rsquo;s efforts and contributions to the relationship.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regularly expressing gratitude and appreciation creates a positive atmosphere in the relationship and strengthens the emotional bond between partners.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"More-questions-on-how-to-build-intimacy-in-marriage\"><\/span><b>More questions on how to build intimacy in marriage<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intimacy is a crucial element of a successful marriage. It is what sets the foundation for a deep and meaningful connection between partners. Building intimacy requires effort and commitment from both partners. Here are more questions on how to build intimacy in marriage:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. How do you build intimacy in a sexless marriage?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-41119 size-full\" title=\"tips for intimacy\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Encouraging-And-Practicing-Self-Awareness-in-Relationships.jpg\" alt=\"tips for intimacy\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These tips will help you find the answer to the question, &ldquo;How to increase intimacy in marriage?&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shake up the routine, as monotony is the ultimate buzzkill for intimacy in marriage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indulge in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/save-your-marriage\/pillow-talk-could-save-your-marriage\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pillow talk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, intimate conversations that allow you to talk about things that enhance closeness between couples.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put together a &rdquo; To-do fun list.&rdquo;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dedicate a &ldquo;tech-free&rdquo; time to your partner. Unless you are aiming to drive a wedge in a relationship, phubbing is a strict no-no. ( Snubbing your partner in favor of mobile phones)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read erotica or play<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/marriage-intimacy-hot-sex-games-you-need-to-try-tonight\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hot sex games<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> together.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep re-discovering each other and disclose more by letting off guard and engaging in full disclosure with your spouse.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, as a couple, keep in mind a marital intimacy checklist.&nbsp; It could include items like working out together, praying, taking an activity as a couple, writing love letters or exchanging love-filled, discussing marriage finances, having meaningful conversations, or revisiting happy memories together.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Can a marriage regain intimacy?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, a marriage can regain intimacy. Rebuilding intimacy requires effort and commitment from both partners.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They need to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/firstthings.org\/effective-communication\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">communicate openly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, make time for each other, show affection, explore each other&rsquo;s interests, prioritize sexual intimacy, and express gratitude and appreciation. With patience, understanding, and dedication, couples can overcome any challenges and rebuild intimacy in their marriage.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes the guidance of a trained therapist can be helpful. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/therapy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marriage therapy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can provide a safe and supportive environment for couples to communicate openly, work through issues, and rebuild their emotional and physical connection.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Takeaway\"><\/span><b>Takeaway<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resentment, issues, and misunderstandings can not only affect your marriage life but also translate into emotional, sexual, and psychological support issues. However, by adhering to these tips, you can take the right steps to building intimacy in your marriage once more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building intimacy in a marriage requires effort, commitment, and communication. By communicating openly and honestly, making time for each other, being affectionate, exploring each other&rsquo;s interests, prioritizing sexual intimacy, and showing gratitude and appreciation, couples can build a strong and meaningful connection that will last a lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Building intimacy in marriage is easier said than done, especially when you have been married for some time. More often than not, couples are left alone to face their fears of turning into &lsquo;old, boring married people,&rsquo; and that happens to the best of us. In these times, you&rsquo;re not just out of touch with emotional and sexual support, but also, when your life is based around no ambitions, it can have serious effects on your psychological well-being. What is intimacy in marriage? As someone who is married, you need to realize that building intimacy in marriage is the foundation <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1419,"featured_media":138,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[31],"tags":[2521],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1419"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118518,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78\/revisions\/118518"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}