15 Essential Tips to Improve Physical Intimacy In a Marriage

If you want to improve physical intimacy in marriage, there are several key things you need to keep in mind. 

The word intimacy can be used almost interchangeably in the context of relationships. But true intimacy is so much more than just the physical representation of romance.

Intimacy involves trust, passion, and tenderness; these elements combine to create lasting bonds, experienced as the emotional –physical phenomena representing love.

What is physical intimacy?

Physical intimacy is not just about sex. It is about sensual touch and proximity 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.

To know more about what physical intimacy in marriage means, you must read this article. 

How important is physical intimacy in marriage

Some couples avoid physical intimacy issues as they think it is a phase or a dry period that will pass. Physical intimacy never gets its due importance because people don’t want to put effort into ways to improve physical intimacy. 

Instead of how to overcome the fear of physical intimacy, they think about is sex important in a relationship. Below are some points that will shed some light on how important is physical intimacy in a relationship.

• Marriage without intimacy can fester complications like trust issues, anger, frustration, and confusion.
• Physical intimacy issues can ruin the relationship. Once sexual intimacy is lost or never existed in a marriage, it takes a lot of effort to rebuild intimacy in the relationship.
• A decline in sex life or lack of physical intimacy can lead to mood and anxiety disorders and even punch down the immunity.

A person’s confidence often stems from their ability to please their partner in bed, and for women, a lack of intimacy in marriage equals being unloved.

Signs you’re in an intimate relationship

Having an inmate relationship is best because it involves physical and emotional intimacy. It’s about building trust, sharing intimate moments, having a solid bond, laughing together, being best friends, etc. 

If you are familiar with the statement above, you are in an intimate relationship. It offers you a deeper connection to your partner and keeps the relationship’s excitement and passion alive. 

To read more about if you are in an intimate relationship or not, read this article. 

15 Ways to increase intimacy in your relationship

It’s not about increasing physical intimacy in a relationship; it’s about what you can do to improve it. 

If you are having some difficulties with physical intimacy in your marriage, consider the following essential tips to improve it.

1. Take things slow

Some people are uncomfortable with physical intimacy, particularly grand gestures such as kissing or hugging in public.

So, how to increase intimacy in marriage?

There are many reasons 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.

Related Reading: How to Slow down a New Relationship?

2. Be romantic

When most people think about physical intimacy in marriage, they think about more or less romantic gestures—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. Still, 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.

Watch this video to understand how sex is different yet correlated to intimacy:

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 holding hands while in private or public, playing footsie under the table, and playful behavior such as tickling or wrestling.

Related Reading: How to Cherish Your Spouse in 4 Steps

4. Never force physical intimacy in marriage

Sometimes you may feel if you hug or cuddle your partner, they will eventually warm up to the idea of improving intimacy in marriage. 

But this is a big mistake that 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 imperative 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.

5. Get away from distractions

Improving intimacy in marriage requires deep, human connection. Turn off the television, cell phone, or any other electronic device when you are with your partner and spend some time talking and sharing, which will help you increase physical closeness and emotional intimacy.

6. Touch the right way

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.

Related Reading: 5 Best Non-Sexual Ways to Keep Your Marriage Healthy

7. Be playful

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.

Sex toys and erotica are your best bet at enhanced sexual desire and fun in your sack sessions. Stack up some sex toys and pile on some erotica for a steamy sexual experience in your bedroom.

8. Don’t forget the simple things

How to increase physical intimacy in a relationship when sex goes on a decline? Great sex is important, but other activities can help in increasing intimacy in marriage.

Going for strolls at night, reading a book together, reminiscing about the first date, expressing gratitude for something as small as buying groceries, and even cooking dinner together while grooving to the music, together.

9. Develop good habits

Let go of the bad relationship habits like arm-wrestling or belittling your partner. If there is a power struggle, don’t pull in the 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.

10. Understand the stages of intimacy

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 the bedroom will help improve intimacy in marriage.

11. Exercise together

Exercising regularly serves the dual purpose of building a positive body image and boosting sexual satisfaction in a relationship. Exercising even for 30 minutes a day can alleviate stress levels and contribute to a healthier mental well-being.

You can choose to exercise together, which will give you more time together and you can tease each other in the spirit of some healthy fitness competition or stare at each other till you take it to the bedroom.

Related Reading: 7 Reasons Why Exercising Together Will Improve Your Relationship

12. Explore your fantasies

Sex for married couples is haunted by monotonous routines and a lack of spontaneity, and the sad part is that it does not take much to ignite the lost passion in most relationships.

Revamping your sex life requires you to be brave and keep an open mind towards trying new things. One of the best ways to disrupt the predictability of your sex life is to explore the boundaries of your sexual fantasies with your partner.

Explicitly communicating your fantasies with your partner might make you feel uncomfortable. Not only would this help you come up with sex ideas, but it would also help you strengthen the communication and trust that you both share.

Related Reading: 9 Most Common Sex Fantasy of a Woman Revealed

13. Bridge the communication gap

Open and honest communication between couples is what binds a relationship. Unless and until you and your spouse find a way to air out your feelings or concerns, you would only feel trapped and foster resentment against each other.

Lack of sex or intimacy in a relationship or a marriage without sex is often a result of poor communication between couples. Communicating with your spouse about topics you have been avoiding is the key to reinventing sex for married couples.

Even though not every conversation would be fruitful, don’t be discouraged. Remember that making an effort to talk to your spouse brings you one step closer to understanding what is wrong with your relationship.

So, suppose you ever feel muddled about how to improve marriage intimacy or how to be physically intimate with your partner. In that case, you can always find your way back to these tips for physical intimacy in marriage and strive for the change you want in your life.

Related Reading: What Are the Effects of Lack of Communication in a Relationship

14. Don’t do it for the sake of doing it

Making love half-heartedly will never increase physical intimacy in marriage. Sex is not only about pleasure, but it is also about building a strong connection and love. 

Physical intimacy is what makes you more than a roommate; you need to take it seriously. With time depending on various factors such as time, work, kids, stress, exhaustion, availability, and much more, people start getting intimate as if it’s just routine. 

If you don’t put all your heart into the moment, it can be harmful to your relationship. It would be best to invest your mind and soul when you get intimate with your partner. 

15. Visit a counselor

Please visit a therapist if you think your physical connection has been lost for so long that it cannot be restored quickly. You can visit a sex therapist for a better understanding of your problems. 

Conclusion

Follow these tips, along with keeping the lines open for sexual communication. Your sex life will gradually progress from down in dumps to thriving sex life. Motivation and willingness are the pivots in enhancing the quality of any relationship.