How to Build Emotional Intimacy

Last week explained what emotional intimacy is. Keep reading to learn how to build it in your relationships

Step 1: Plan for it

Set aside intentional time for one another - whether it’s 10 minutes each day or an hour once a week. It’s okay if you need to start small.

Just Start!

Remember: Intimacy is all about seeing/feeling seen by and connected with your partner. The goal of these activities is to open yourselves up to each other (in fun ways) & increase how close you feel at the end. We’re all different which is why different activities will work for different couples.

• The Check-in (30m)

• 5 Minutes of Eye Contact* (5m)

  • Here’s an example video!

• The Connection Question Game (1hr)

  • This one’s fun & simple. You take turns asking and answering the questions with your partner. There’s 35 questions total. You can choose to do them all at once, or a few at a time. They get deeper as you go.

    • Part 1

    • Part 2

    • Part 3

    • Part 4

• A Sex Connect* (1m)

  • Pause during sex. Put your hand on your partners chest. Look into each other’s eyes. After a minute or so, continue on. Studies show it helps build the

• A Test of Love (20m+)

The ideas with a * are in-person only, so here’s some extra resources for long-distance partners:

• Gottman Card Decks (there’s a mobile version)

• Love Nudge (based on the 5 love languages)

• Bond Touch Wristbands

• Lock it App

  • You can share photos with your partner. They appear in a Widget on their home screen. It allows little glimpses into each others lives easily in real time.