When someone mentions the word intimacy in respect to relationships, what often that comes to your mind is sex? Think about it. However, intimacy is more than the physical connection experienced in most romantic relationships. Intimacy is experienced in all forms of social relationships and interaction. This article will highlight the types of intimacy and how intimacy can help or hurt a relationship.
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Types of Intimacy
Intimacy is broadly classified into physical, emotional, spiritual, experiential, or intellectual intimacy. The basis of all these types of intimacy lies in the communication styles, personality traits, and emotions. Intimacy means contradictory things to different people, and there is no clear definition of intimacy.
Physical Intimacy
It refers to the physical connection often experienced in most romantic relationships. However, physical intimacy means different things to different people. To some, it may mean the initial physical attraction, holding of hands, or a casual evening walk. To others, it may mean a quiet dinner, some quality time, or sex.
Note that physical intimacy is not synonymous with sex. A person may experience physical intimacy with someone they are not romantically involved. For example, a hug or random dates with a friend or a group of friends may also be considered physical intimacy.
Spiritual Intimacy
Just like physical intimacy, spiritual intimacy means different things to different people. However, unlike physical intimacy, spiritual intimacy is based on the belief in a superior spiritual being. Spiritual intimacy is based on faith and sharing of fundamental values.
Emotional Intimacy
Emotional intimacy is often based on a person’s love language. The five primary love languages are quality time, acts of service, gifts, words of affirmation, and physical touch. For most individuals, their love language is a combination of two or three types of love languages. Couples need to try and learn their partner’s love language during courtship.
Additionally, emotional intimacy may dictate that one has to let their guard down and be vulnerable. For this to happen, one must be assured of a safe space.
Experiential Intimacy
Experiential intimacy is fostered among friends, workmates, or people you find yourself spending a lot of time with. Experiential intimacy is also seen among persons with who you find common interests and hobbies. Experiential intimacy often leads to lifelong friendships.
Intellectual Intimacy
Have you ever reflected on a mind-blowing conversation you’ve just had with someone? A conversation that has challenged your way of thinking as a whole? Then most likely, you’ve just had an encounter with someone and shared intellectual intimacy. Intellectual intimacy involves exchanging ideas, knowing how the other person perceives certain aspects of things, and allowing them into your thought process.
Whichever type of intimacy demands the participation of both parties in an almost equal measure. There is a need to outline how intimacy can help or hurt some of your relationships, whether romantic or not.
Intimacy Helps Build A Sense Of Trust, Acceptance, and Honesty
When you feel that you have built a sense of intimacy with someone, you find yourself more ready to be vulnerable, share your thoughts, troubles, and feelings without fear of being judged. Intimacy creates a beautiful scenario where someone of a group of people is genuinely and aesthetically themselves. A bond of trust, acceptance, and honesty.
Intimacy Creates Bonds
Experts recognize the considerable role played by intimacy in most romantic relationships. The latter is why several Los Angeles sex therapists recommend rebuilding or re-establishing intimacy, especially among couples on the brink of separation.
Alternatively, such couples can redefine intimacy by engaging in activities they previously have not and creating special memories. It is important to note that rebuilding intimacy is not an overnight process. It requires sacrifice and purposeful efforts for both parties.
On the other hand, intimacy can be identified as the cause of most people going through mental issues like psychosis, depression, bipolar syndrome, and anxiety. The latter happens where intimacy is not reciprocated or where intimacy is directed in the wrong direction.
Persons from failed marriages, broken families, or hostile relationships with their significant other become apprehensive. Often after recovery, these individuals tend to fear intimacy and build connections with other people. There is optimism at the end of it all if you choose to give relationships and intimacy another chance.
Conclusively, intimacy plays a significant role in almost all relationships and social engagements.
