Intimacy In A Relationship – Having strong emotional intimacy is essential for a healthy relationship. This kind of connection can help you discover your partner’s goals, fears, and fantasies.
Emotional intimacy can also be achieved through open and honest communication. If you’re free to discuss your feelings without being judged, you’ve reached a high level of intimacy in your relationship.
1. You’re Open and Honest
One of the best things you can do to build intimacy in your relationship is to be open and honest with each other. It’s a key component of healthy relationships, and it can be a huge benefit to your mental health.
Intimacy can be defined as being able to share your most personal thoughts and feelings with someone else. It’s a feeling of safety and support, which is often what people crave.
Having this type of emotional intimacy can feel risky, but it can also be very satisfying. It can help you build trust in your partner and encourage them to be open with you as well.
2. You’re Committed
Commitment is a great way to build strong relationships, and a sign of true intimacy in a relationship is that you’re committed to one another. It means that you’re willing to put in the work and sacrifices that are required for a long-term, successful bond.
It also means that you’re willing to keep working on your relationship even when things get tough and you’re feeling frustrated.
You’re forward-thinking about the future and making plans for what you want to do together in the future – whether that’s traveling, buying a house, getting married, or raising children.
Being committed to one another is a lot of hard work, but it’s worth it in the end when you know you have someone by your side for the long haul. It’s a great way to show yourself how much you love your partner and that you can take on whatever challenges come your way!
3. You Spend Time Together
One of the best ways to feel close to your partner is to spend time together. Whether it’s a simple evening in front of the TV or an adventurous trip to the cinema, this kind of connection helps you feel connected to your loved one.
While you can do this at any time, it’s especially important to prioritize spending time with your partner if you’re having trouble feeling this way in your relationship.
Intimacy can be hard to cultivate when you’re busy with work, children, or other commitments. But if you can find a way to make your relationship a priority, you’ll be able to create opportunities for intimacy that will last.
4. You’re Always the First Person They Want to Talk to
Whether it’s juicy gossip or something life-changing, being the first person to share it with your significant other is the icing on the cake. It’s a sign you’re putting your best foot forward and that you want to be a part of your partner’s best life.
Licensed marriage and family therapist Billie Tyler says the most important thing to remember is that this is not an easy feat. It takes a commitment and dedication to your relationship to see this through to the end. It also helps if you know what to look for in a quality mate — and are willing to take the risk of meeting them. The best way to find out is by implementing the 10 signs of true intimacy into your dating routine and focusing on the most important ones first. By doing this, you’ll be sure to make the right choice for you and your partner.
5. You’re Physically Affectionate
One of the most important ways to demonstrate true intimacy in a relationship is through physical touch. This can be anything from hugs and kisses to holding hands and cuddling.
Having a strong need for physical affection in your relationship can be the difference between a relationship that thrives and one that falls apart. In fact, a study published by Brigham Young University researchers found that romantic physical affection, such as kissing, back rubs/massages, and hand-holding, can make a significant difference in a couple’s happiness, satisfaction and conflict resolution.
But while being physically affectionate is a great indicator that you’re in a healthy relationship, it’s also important to remember that this type of intimacy doesn’t always occur. So be sure to communicate your needs and boundaries with your partner. If they don’t respond to them in a way that feels loving, supportive and respectful, it may be time to move on.
6. You’re Willing to Adapt
When it comes to your relationship, you want to have open communication, and it’s a good idea to be honest about the things that make you happy or upset. However, it’s also important to establish some boundaries and respect them.
If you’re in a relationship with someone who isn’t always honest about their feelings, it can take some time and patience to get them to be open, so don’t be too pushy when you first start trying to build intimacy.
Being adaptable is a key skill for people who work in high-paced environments, and it’s a great way to ensure you’re ready to face any challenges that come your way. It’s also a key element for any leader or team member who wants to grow their skills and find new ways of doing things.
7. You’re Open and Honest About Your Boundaries
In a healthy relationship, both parties must be open and honest about their boundaries. This is a major part of communication because it ensures that both people are able to share their needs and wants with each other.
Boundaries are important to establish because they protect your physical, emotional, and material well-being. They also help keep conflict in check and minimize misunderstandings between you and your partner, says Dr. Quinn-Cirillo.
Everyone has different values, needs, and sensitivities, so it’s important to define your personal boundaries before you decide to establish them with a partner.
It’s important to be consistent with your boundaries and to kindly remind others when you need to talk about them. This will help both of you understand your boundaries and respect them in the long run.
8. You’re Committed to Growing Together
Having a relationship that’s committed to growing together is an important sign of true intimacy. If growth isn’t a priority in your relationship, you and the love of your life may drift apart because your values and beliefs don’t align anymore.
Creating intimacy takes work, especially over time. Whether you’re new to a relationship or years in, there are several ways you can build or restore intimacy.
9. You’re Physically Affectionate Outside of Sex
You love giving and receiving physical affection, whether it’s a hug, kiss, or just a gentle touch. It’s a sign that you’re both physically and emotionally connected to each other, according to OkCupid’s dating coach Damona Hoffman.
You can also show your partner you care by rubbing their back when they’re upset, or offering to help them with a hair-combing session.
A few other non-sexual ways to touch your partner include stroking their hair or gently dragging your fingertips across their back, or even touching a part of their body that isn’t sexually intimate (like the bare leg). Talking about past traumas or negative experiences, and communicating about boundaries and comfort levels can help you both feel more comfortable with touch and intimacy. This can also be helpful for couples who are not able to have sex for various reasons.
10. You Put Your Phone Down
If you have a partner who puts their phone down during conversations or when spending time together, this is a strong sign that they’re really invested in the relationship. They aren’t ignoring you because they are thinking about what they’re going to do next on their phone, but they are consciously aware of their need to be connected to you at all times.
This can help to build intimacy in the relationship, as well as prevent it from deteriorating. As a result, they’ll be more likely to communicate with you when things aren’t going well or when they have something important they want to share.
