How can couples increase intimacy non-sexually to complement their sex lives?

Luke Newman

            Bonnie Lynn Wright is a PhD who wrote an article explaining non-sexual forms of intimacy on behalf of the Honor Society of Nursing.  She explains that often people associate “being intimate” with being physical with one another and having sex. She argues that the word has an entirely different meaning.  Couples can be intimate but not having sex and people can be having sex and not be intimate.  The terms are mutually exclusive.  Wright lays out three things that most increase non-sexual intimacy: sharing, being kind, and giving.  Her suggestion for sharing is to listen to music together and pick out “your song.” Whenever you hear that song, you’ll always think of each other and smile.  With being kind, she suggests small actions that show you care, like holding the door open or doing chores.  For giving, Wright suggests being open in communication with partners and potentially going to church as a couple.

Wright, Bonnie L. "What Are Some Non-sexual Forms of Intimacy?" - Sex & Relationships. Sharecare.com, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://www.sharecare.com/health/sex-and-relationships/non-sexual-forms-of-intimacy>.