{"id":29092,"date":"2022-04-27T05:52:53","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T12:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zoosk.com\/date-mix\/?p=29092"},"modified":"2024-04-09T13:07:16","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T20:07:16","slug":"intimacy-without-sex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zoosk.com\/date-mix\/relationship-advice\/healthy-relationships\/intimacy-without-sex\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Of The Best Ways To Build Intimacy Without Sex"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Building intimacy without sex might sound tricky. That\u2019s understandable, especially as the two typically go hand in hand. But, intimacy can manifest in many ways<\/a> and physical touch isn\u2019t the only form we can engage in as part of a romantic relationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to have variety when it comes to nourishing ourselves and our significant other. Sex is just one way to be intimate with your partner, but there are plenty of other things that you can do together to foster a closer relationship. Looking to discover more about intimacy without sex? Check out 11 ways to be intimate without sex below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Have Intimacy Without Sex: 11 Suggestions to Try<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Talk, but also listen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of intimacy is feeling heard. But it\u2019s also important to listen. \u201cIntimacy is a process of discovery with one another<\/a>,\u201d says Joel Bennett in his book, Time and Intimacy<\/em>. Over time, it may seem there\u2019s nothing new to discover, but that\u2019s not true. When you make a habit of sitting down with your partner, whether it’s asking about their day or delving into things you\u2019ve never discussed before, you\u2019re showing your partner that what they have to say matters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, shared silence between partners is a sign of comfort, and that\u2019s okay. But if you\u2019re concerned it\u2019s because you have nothing left to say to one another, it\u2019s time to take the conversation deeper. Talk about your hopes, dreams, and things you\u2019d love to do together to get talking again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Do something fun together<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date night is great, but have you ever gone to an amusement park with your partner, spent the day on a paddleboat, or even organized a picnic in the park? Simply spending time together, just the two of you, is a great way to be intimate without sex. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try something new together, like taking a cooking class or going to the gym. Not only will you be spending quality time with your partner, but you\u2019ll also stimulate your brain and generate new topics of conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Hold hands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It sounds simple, and it is, but holding hands can bring intimacy to your relationship in a way you might not have considered. We\u2019ve all seen older couples holding hands in public. It elicits an immediate response of, \u201cIsn\u2019t that sweet?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why not bring that to your relationship? Holding hands creates an immediate connection with our partners and reminds them we care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Take it further and touch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No, we\u2019re not talking about sex, but intentional touch. Holding hands is wonderful, but maybe you want more? Try giving your partner a back rub or a full-blown massage. Touch their arm when you\u2019re talking to them. Cuddle on the couch when you\u2019re watching a romantic movie on Netflix<\/a>. Little touches throughout the day remind our partners that we\u2019re present and paying attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Try each other\u2019s favorite things<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When thinking about how to be intimate without sex, getting involved in your partner\u2019s favorite things is a great place to start. Do they love hiking but usually go alone? Make a date to go together next time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning about each other\u2019s favorite past times is not only a way to create intimacy without sex, but it gives you more to talk about. There aren’t many better things in life than seeing someone you love\u2019s face light up when they\u2019re talking about something they\u2019re passionate about. Get in on the excitement and share that passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Shower together<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may seem like it leads to sex, and for some, it might. But showering together can be one of the most intimate things you can do, even when it doesn’t lead to sex. Wash your partner’s hair and take the time to trace the lines of their body. We all know how amazing it feels when our stylist washes our hair, imagine how much better it is coming from the person you love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Try being spiritual <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of whether you subscribe to any certain religion or not, being spiritual with your partner can be a great way to foster a deeper connection. To start with, try sitting together and contemplating your thoughts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is simple but it’s actually one of the best ways to have intimacy without sex. You can say it out loud or keep it quiet, but the act of doing it together can help to create a deeper, more meaningful connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Share music <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll admit, this is one of my favorite things intimate things to do with my partner<\/a>. We open the YouTube app on our television and take turns being the DJ. For the most part, we listen to similar music, but it\u2019s still fun to see what your partner chooses.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another great way to share music is to make your partner a playlist of romantic love songs<\/a> that make you think of them. The days of mixed tapes may be largely behind us, but the feeling you\u2019ll get from gifting one hasn\u2019t gone anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Pretend you\u2019re a new couple<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pretending you\u2019re a new couple can help bring back that feeling your relationship might be missing. Take each other on dates, talk about something that you learned recently, or write each other love letters<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019re so many things we start to take for granted when we\u2019ve been in a relationship for some time. But, that doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t get back some of that new relationship intimacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Relax and enjoy the routine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Routine doesn\u2019t have to mean boring. When it comes to knowing how to build intimacy without sex, stability is key. Having a regular, stable routine means you don\u2019t have to worry as much about what\u2019s going to happen next. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world is prone to throwing a spanner in the works of even the best-laid plans. But when you’re in a relationship that thrives on working through situations together, you\u2019re less likely to be waylaid by life\u2019s many changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Plan and host an event <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A big part of intimacy is knowing that your partner has your back. Planning and hosting an event together will help to strengthen this as you\u2019ll have to support each other and work as a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t have to be a huge event. Plan something simple like a dinner party or a games night with friends and rediscover how well you and your partner work as one. Not only will this spark intimacy between you both, but it\u2019ll also help to reaffirm your connection and feelings for one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build a Stronger and Deeper Connection <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Being intimate can mean so many things. How intimacy without sex looks for you and your partner will be unique to your relationship. What’s important is to actively work together in order to maintain a good relationship<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day may come when sex has to be put on hold for one reason or another. Fostering intimacy on different levels prepares us for this and helps to create deeper, more meaningful connections within our relationship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Building intimacy without sex might sound tricky. That\u2019s understandable, especially as the two typically go hand in hand. But, intimacy can manifest in many ways and physical touch isn\u2019t the only form we can engage in as part of a romantic relationship.  It\u2019s important to have variety when it comes to nourishing ourselves and our […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":212,"featured_media":30619,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[894,997],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-relationships","category-love-advice"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n11 Of The Best Ways To Build Intimacy Without Sex<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wondering how to have intimacy without sex? We're here to help. 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