WAYS TO INCREASE INTIMACY WITH YOUR PARTNER.

Relationship

A big part of being in a healthy and happy relationship is establishing the kind of connection where you feel emotionally safe and cared for. That’s why, aside from physical intimacy, cultivating emotional intimacy is extremely important.

Whether you’re at the beginning stages of your relationship or you’ve been together for a while and you’re looking to take it a bit further, here are some proven ways to make the emotional bond that the two of you share even stronger.

WORK ON YOUR FRIENDSHIP

Unfortunately, there are way too many people who focus on creating a relationship with someone without doing one crucial thing: working on creating a friendship first. There are a lot of couples who’ve been married for many years who will tell you that during the hard times, “being in like” is far more important than being in love.

KISS ON THE CHEEK AND FOREHEAD

Kissing on the mouth is passionate while kissing each other on the cheek and forehead is endearing. They’re a nurturing way to establish a connection. Perfect for cultivating emotional intimacy.

GO FOR AN AFTERNOON DRIVE (OR A ROAD TRIP)

You. Him. And the open road. Can there be anything more wonderful and emotionally intimate than that?

TRY NEW THINGS

Another awesome thing about relationships is it gives you the opportunity to create memories with one another. If you make a point to do new things together, you can always look back and say (for instance) “I went zip-lining for the first time with you.” There is something very sweet and sentimental about that.

CUDDLE

Cuddling is a way of saying “I just want to be close to you.” It’s one of the best ways to physically express the desire to establish emotional intimacy.

HOLD HANDS

Did you know that holding hands is proven to be a stress reliever? It also is a way to publicly convey that you are with someone—and that you are really happy about that.