4 Ways Sex Enhances Intimacy
Lingerie, porn, role play, and romance novels can be a great turn-on in accelerating sex between individuals. However, building and improving intimacy plays a greater role. This is why couples need to learn how to have better sex through intimacy.
Are you a couple but stuck in a sexual pothole? Dry spells in a relationship may be common, but you should never be fine with it if married and experiencing it. Sex is mostly killed by familiarity or monotony, meaning the more a couple gets used to each other, the less thrilling their sex becomes. This is why it is essential to keep igniting your emotional intimacy for greater sexual stimulation and experiences. Sex and intimacy may be associated, but they aren't similar. One can have sex but not be intimate and vice versa. This article will discuss why intimate sex is the key to a successful relationship.
How Sex Brings a Couple Closer
How important is sex in a relationship? The following are some of the ways in which sex brings you closer to your partner, as backed up by science. Let's learn about them.
Pillow Talk
Do you ever engage in 'pillow talk' after a great sexual experience? This is something done by many lovers. It's mostly a sign of enhanced satisfaction and closeness, making one have more self-disclosure. Women initiate the talk more, especially after they achieve orgasm. Climaxing is among the benefits a healthy relationship can have. Additionally, women who climax openly speak positively about their relationship. In a study conducted in 2017, it was concluded that physical sex alone could not improve self-disclosure. Another study by Aron et al. l, 2017, suggested that secret sharing can increase intimacy levels, followed by a higher sexual desire.
Increased Oxytocin Levels
According to a study conducted in 2012, neuropeptide oxytocin level was shown to decrease stress and raise trust feelings. It was also linked to love emotions and bonding amongst romantic couples. According to the study, couples that had been married or stayed together for six months had higher oxytocin baseline levels than couples who had broken up or separated within that time. In 2000, another study demonstrated that orgasm and sexual activity raised oxytocin levels in men and women. This means that oxytocin makes one feel more intimate with their partner and hinders closeness to other potential individuals. This conclusion was proven through research where men from monogamous affairs who received oxytocin intranasally were not attracted to the beautiful ladies they worked closely with. The men kept a farther distance from these attractive females than the singles.
Higher Brain Activity
Some parts of the brain, such as the hippocampus, thalamus, and anterior cingulate cortex, perform actively when one experiences sexual desire and love. A study conducted in 2011 by Stoessel and his colleagues revealed that the posterior cingulate cortex and anterior cingulate cortex were actively involved when people looked at erotic pictures from strangers or when looking at pictures of their loved ones. This means that engaging in sex regularly increases brain activity.
The Afterglow
Afterglow in the sex realm can be described as the satisfaction feeling one gets after sexual activity. Some couples remain sexually gratified even after the end of intercourse. For some, it might go up to two days, whereas for others, the gratification may last up to a week. A study conducted in 2017 revealed that the more days sexual satisfaction lasted, the greater marital contentment a couple had as time went by. The research further concluded that the afterglow factor helped improve the bond between a romantic couple. Moreover, there were speculations that longer satisfaction periods decreased infidelity chances among intimate affairs.
Guidelines to Achieving Enhanced Intimate Experiences
Although intimacy is important in a relationship, some individuals may find it difficult to appear vulnerable to their lover emotionally or physically. If you find it hard to show your vulnerability, below are some guidelines to help you achieve better sex through intimacy.
Self-awareness
It is important to remain true to yourself and identify your sexual needs. This helps you to understand yourself more to offer the best intimacy.
Being Present
Do this by avoiding distractions from other thoughts; instead, pay attention to the experience at hand. Being in the moment will help you appreciate your partner more and possibly be more intimate with them.
Stay Connected Even When Apart
It is perfectly normal for separated partners to disconnect after some time, and re-establishing intimacy may take a little longer. With the advancing technology, people can take advantage and stay connected through the internet and mobile phones. This way, they can extend our intimacy despite being socially distant.
Identify the Issue
You may be eagerly looking for intimacy but not ready to stay committed. It is important to embrace why you find it hard to express intimacy. Seeking advice from a psychologist or sex physiotherapist can help identify and solve the issue. Most often, it composes something that went unresolved in the past.
Clear the Negative Thoughts
There could be negative refrains racing in your head, such as the things you are ashamed of when trying to be sexual. It could be your body type, sagging stomach, and you may be wondering who could admire making love to you. It is important to identify the thoughts that distract you and replace them with the wonderful thoughts of your lover.
The Bottom Line
Whether you are in a new relationship or have been with your partner for long, good sex is the key to enhancing your intimacy. It's also the main factor that can keep you closer at all ages. You can try using intimate sex positions, such as missionary, spooning, and cowgirl. Also, use the tips discussed in this blog to enhance your intimacy.