Intimacy means more than a physical, sexual act. It is a closeness, a bond that is felt past the sensory level to the heart chakra or soul level. Ironically, you can have intimacy without having sex and sex without intimacy.
According to the University of Florida’s Counseling & Wellness Center, “Intimacy is a process – not a thing. It takes place over time and is not stagnant. In fact, any kind of stagnation in a relationship kills intimacy. Intimacy can also take many forms.”
Different forms of intimacy include:
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Cognitive/Intellectual
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Experiential
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Emotional
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Sexual
Since different people respond to different forms and levels of intimacy, it is important for partners to take the time to get to know each other first. Knowing and understanding each other by sharing time, opinions, ideas, emotions, experiences, and physical space builds all types of intimacy.
For more information, visit the University of Florida site.
