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- Long-term couples tend to let go of intimacy as changes occur, such as work and children.
- However, intimacy expert Dr Vivian says touch has mental and physical benefits.
- These include lower blood pressure and stress levels as well as reducing anxiety.
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Everyone is quick to tell their partner about their love language when getting into a relationship. Although these love languages differ, there is one that bears something in common, which experts have said is important in a relationship.
Intimacy expert Dr Vivian Coles with Houston Relationships Therapy says that couples should never underestimate the power of touch and that you can get creative with the way you and your significant other do it.
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Dr Vivian says one of the ways to know that you are starved of intimacy, especially in a long-term relationship, is by identifying the type of partner you're with. She adds that it is because some people have been so overly touched as they work a lot and may have children constantly grabbing them. Those people tend to be paired up with people who are very much into affection.
"I want to remind people that there is such a thing as touch starvation, which can cause both physical and emotional health issues. So, you want to do things that, whether be physically touching someone or that gives your body and brain the same impact."
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She continues to add that there are simple things that you and your partner can do that will give you both the impact of touch as a form of intimacy. Some of these things include taking a shower together, sitting side to side at a restaurant, dancing together, and giving each other back rubs and massages.
Dr Vivian says that close proximity can release chemicals that bond and connect you. There are also health benefits of being close to your partner, including low blood pressure, lower stress levels and anxiety.
