When it comes to someone you love, there are so many ways to celebrate your connection and nurture your bond. One of the most commonly discussed ways to do so is through sexual intimacy. It’s the act of expressing love through pleasure. Though explicit music and media centered on the male gaze may have tainted its pure roots, there’s something truly divine about connecting with your partner on a sexual level.
Non-sexual intimacy is just as important when it comes to a healthy connection. Non-sexual intimacy refers to any type of intimacy that doesn’t involve sexual acts, including physical, emotional and intellectual intimacy. Here’s everything to know about non-sexual intimacy, including how to nurture it in your own relationship.
The 4 Types of Non-Sexual Intimacy
Non-sexual intimacy is typically categorized into the following four subsections:
- Physical intimacy: Non-sexual touch, like holding hands, hugging, or cuddling.
- Emotional intimacy: Sharing feelings and deep sentiments, being vulnerable in front of each other.
- Intellectual intimacy: Working through ideas together, or stimulating each other creatively.
- Spiritual intimacy: A bond between two people based on shared or complementary beliefs, values, and worldview.
While sex certainly impacts the livelihood of a partnership, non-sexual intimacy can also help strengthen emotional bonds and increase feelings of security.
How to Practice Non-Sexual Intimacy
Physical Intimacy
Many women speak to needing non-sexual physical intimacy, where they don’t feel objectified and unloved. Non-sexual physical intimacy can include holding hands, cuddling, hugging, or embracing. It can also be sitting close, non-sexual caresses and massages.
Emotional Intimacy
In a true, healthy, sustainable partnership, you need to feel emotionally safe. You need to feel completely seen and accepted for who you are. It’s important to know you’ll be cared for in your lowest moments. To nurture this, practice sharing your deepest thoughts, feelings, dreams, hopes, fears and disappointments. Nothing should be off-limits. You should also express genuine encouragement, reassurance and compassion for them. Be open and honest about your thoughts and feelings about your partner and the relationship, and actively listen without judgment.
Intellectual Intimacy
Knowing that you and your partner are mentally connected is a major key to longevity. To nurture this, engage in stimulating conversations about a variety of topics that truly interest both of you. Don’t be afraid to engage in a healthy debate should you disagree. Share your favorite art, movies or music with each other, and be open to ingesting content that’s different than your own palette. Work on a creative project together or challenge yourself to a new skill, like learning a new language.
Spiritual Intimacy
Non-sexual spiritual intimacy involves openly sharing your inner spiritual beliefs, creating a profound sense of closeness through praying together, reading scriptures, attending religious services, or meditating together. Even if you don’t exactly share the same beliefs, it’s important to be able to explore your faith in their presence. Make sure to share insight on your spiritual journey with them, while supporting them on their growth as well.