Does Physical Intimacy Lead to a Longer, Happier Marriage?

Posted on 2/22/2024

Physical intimacy includes being inside someone's personal space and touch involving hand holding, hugging, kissing, cuddling, caressing, and consensual sexual activity. Physical intimacy between couples involves exchanging feelings, close companionship, platonic and romantic love, or sexual attraction. Physical relationships after marriage can be critical in strengthening and finding happiness and longevity in a relationship, so people seek to know more about it. Emotional intimacy is another form of intimacy that enhances the physical aspect of a marriage and makes it vibrant. 

Understanding the Need for Physical Intimacy

Intimacy includes physical, emotional, and spiritual closeness inherent to the happiness and longevity of marriage. For married couples, physical intimacy is an expectation in most people's view of relationships. Physical intimacy in marriage is more complex and can ebb and flow with different marriage milestones. Sexual intimacy is a strong desire for a sexual connection, which doesn't necessarily require an emotional component to be satisfying. Still, everyone has their particular preferences and libido when it comes to what types and levels of physical intimacy they are comfortable engaging in. 

Human beings innately crave physical or sexual intimacy, and this sexual urge has ensured our species' survival over time. The simple act of being close to another person and enjoying the touch and sensuality that come with physical intimacy can be fulfilling in its own right. However, physical intimacy does require a certain degree of vulnerability and trust, which can vary depending on the situation and the individuals involved. Physical intimacy can occur even when trust is not deeply rooted, such as in casual relationships. Nonetheless, it is essential to recognize that sex alone does not necessarily bring us closer to another person. The value of emotional intimacy is in building deeper connections with others.

Common Causes of Dwindling Physical Intimacy

Barriers to intimacy in marriage can cause significant issues for couples if not addressed early on. Apart from differences in desire for physical intimacy, other common obstacles lead to a decreased level of physical intimacy between husbands and wives:

1. One of the defining roadblocks to physical intimacy between couples is clutter in their intimate relationship environment. An untidy bedroom space, dishes in the sink, and heaps of laundry can all prevent a space where couples can connect intimately with each other. 

2. Another potential threat to a marriage is the lack of intimacy in the relationship. Suppose couples do not prioritize intimacy and try to spend quality time with their partners; they must recalibrate their activities to carve out time to improve physical intimacy in marriage.

3. Moreover, the emotional unavailability of a partner can seriously affect physical intimacy in marriage. Couples must break the deep-rooted emotional barriers and be more open to their partners to sustain intimacy.

Essential Ingredients for Physical Intimacy

• Trust varies between individuals, and it is a sense that your partner will respect your boundaries and be concerned about your experience.
• Vulnerability is showing up with our most authentic, unprotected self."
• Communication: giving each other mindfully, being present, and paying focused attention during discussions.

Physical intimacy includes touch and any bodily contact ranging from holding hands to sexual intercourse. Physical intimacy is built on trust and creates feelings of warmth, bonding, and closeness between people. Physical intimacy includes being inside someone's personal space.

How to Regain or Increase Physical Intimacy

Tips to Overcome Roadblocks to Intimacy in Marriage:

1. Ensure you're both comfortable.

If either partner is not comfortable, stop. Avoid trying to force your expectations onto someone and be realistic. 

2. Communicate and Listen to Each Other

When discussing your sexual feelings, issues, fantasies, and desires, find common ground you can agree on before you become physically intimate. 

3. Try to Connect Without Sex 

Get to know each other without the added pressure of sexual tension. (carnival rides, swimming, bike riding in tandem, or dance classes). 

4. Don't Forget that there may be underlying issues. 

Examples include sex abuse, family history of low affection.

5. Use Intimate gestures.  

Hold hands, kiss, caress each other, etc. 

6. Avoid anger.

Frequently fighting and arguing may decrease the quality of your sex life. Try to communicate with each other well and avoid conflict as much as possible.

7. Make sex a priority.

Try to make enough time for sex in your marriage to make things work and stay committed to one another.

8. Be creative in the bedroom.

Get creative and try different things to make your sex life and make it more fun, and spicy. For example, you could try something new, like a change of location. showering together; massage creates a lovely tenderness between the two of you, foreplay.

If you struggle with building physical intimacy in your Marriage and finding strategies to help revive romance and happiness. Consider using Marriage In a Box for professional support, helpful suggestions, and guidance.

Marriage In a Box provides access to tools and techniques that professionals use to address relationship issues. On the site, you can set goals, earn rewards, and find marriage coaching. Check out the available kit and sources of information online.

Learn more about our Couples Therapy Exercises

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