9 Forms of Affection More Intimate than Sex ...

Holding Hands in Public • Meeting the Family • Giving Non-Sexual Kisses • Cuddling • Staring into Each Other's Eyes • More ...

By Holly • Jul 7, 2015 MD

Sex is an intimate act, but it's not the only activity that will bring you closer to your partner. That's why you shouldn't rush into sex. If you're not ready for it, there are plenty of other forms of affection that are equally as sweet. Here are a few things that you can do to strengthen your bond with your partner without removing your clothes:

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1. Holding Hands in Public

Unfortunately, sex doesn't mean much to certain people. There are guys who will sleep with any woman they see, but they'll only hold hands in public with a special someone. Holding hands might not seem like that big of a deal, but it means that your man is proud to show you off and wants to let others know that you're together.

2. Meeting the Family

Meeting your boyfriend's family is a huge step. It means that he's serious about your relationship. He wouldn't introduce you to the people he loves if he thought you'd be breaking up anytime soon. Meeting his family means he's in it for the long haul.

3. Giving Non-Sexual Kisses

There's a reason why so many women love forehead kisses. It's because they aren't meant to lead to anything. Getting a kiss on the head is sweeter than getting one on the lips, because it isn't meant to lead to sex or even a make out session. It's just to show you he cares.

4. Cuddling

Cuddling allows you to be physically and emotionally close to your partner. Even though your bodies are close together, you aren't touching in a sexual way. You're happy just to be cuddling.

If you're looking to engage your partner in intriguing conversations, why not try some hypothetical questions for couples? These fun queries will not only keep the conversation lively but also stimulate deep thoughts and potentially reveal insights about each other's personality and thought processes.

5. Staring into Each Other's Eyes

It's difficult to stare into another person's eyes. For some reason, we view it as awkward, which is why we tend to glance away every few seconds during conversations. However, if you and your partner are so comfortable around each other that you can look lovingly into each other's eyes for hours on ends, then you have something special.

6. Sharing Comfortable Silence

Speaking of comfort, if you two can sit together without talking, you can consider it a form of intimacy. Silences are awkward when you're around acquaintances. They're only relaxing when you're with someone that you're completely comfortable with.

7. Sharing Secrets

Offering your body to someone is different than offering your secrets to them. After all, it's easier to kiss someone than it is to open up to them about your hopes and dreams. If your partner shares their deepest secrets with you, you must mean a lot to them.

8. Telling inside Jokes

You don't have inside jokes with strangers. You have them with your closest friends. And if your boyfriend isn't your friend, what's the point of dating him? Intimacy isn't all about doing sweet things together. It's about doing fun things, too.

9. Slow Dancing

Grinding is sexual. Slow dancing is romantic. If you and your partner are able to sway back and fourth to music, or even when the room is completely silent, it's an intimate act.

You don't have to have sex in order to be intimate with your partner. There are plenty of other ways to express your feelings and strengthen your bond. What do you think is the most intimate activity that two people could engage in?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • Jennapher

    2015-07-08T11:14:32.776Z

    Holly, I love this post, and each suggestion, while seemingly simple, is in reality, quite intimate. When you share your silence with your partner, you will expand greatly the boundaries of your intimacy! If you have taken the vows, you must remember that, in one manner or another, you have committed yourself to your partner in sickness, in addition to healthy, poverty, wealth and until the very end. If you are fortunate to age together, you WILL share sickness, it is an inevitable occurrence; not hat you should dwell on it, or fear it! But every person in a committed relationship must know that you will either be ill, or need to care for a partner who becomes ill. And from experience, I can promise you that, if you are faithful to your commitment to love and honor your partner, there is no greater intimacy than caring for your lifetime friend and lover when they cannot care for themselves. Sickness may present itself as the greatest challenge for your love, but lovingly caring for your life love is the most intimate act you will ever share💔
  • ash

    2015-07-08T10:48:23.545Z

    Such an amazing post! All this is soo true and it makes me feel grateful that I have a boyfriend who isn't led to sexual pleasure but shows me just how intimate we can be through the simple things like forehead kisses, telling me HUGE secrets and always being kind. Love is beautiful if it's pure ☺️💕
  • Kat_With_a_K

    2015-07-08T04:33:18.591Z

    Once my boyfriend and I did a couple's dare game where had to stare into each other's eyes for three minutes without looking away.
  • Olivia

    2015-07-08T07:18:44.182Z

    Daniella - sex doesn't have to be intimate. Often it's meaningless and just for fun
  • peony

    2015-07-08T13:34:51.101Z

    Cuddles and slow dancing wins everytime Oh yes!
  • Jo-Ann

    2015-07-25T13:37:37.891Z

    Ohhh I absolutely love to be cuddled & held... If only this is happening...
  • Splashhhh

    2015-07-08T11:35:01.282Z

    Miss him so much :(
  • Kristen

    2015-07-13T23:30:36.620Z

    How do you navigate to #2?
  • Yeleini91812

    2015-07-08T03:39:30.952Z

    Cute article! ❤️
  • Jasmin

    2015-07-08T02:58:39.190Z

    I would say it's between slow dancing to a beautiful slow song or cuddling.
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