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3 Scientifically Proven Ways To Increase Intimacy

Gia Ravazzotti
Author:
January 20, 2015
Gia Ravazzotti
Counselor
By Gia Ravazzotti
Counselor
Gia Ravazzotti is a sex and relationships counselor based in Sydney, Asutralia. She has a master's degree in HIV, STIs, and Sexual Health from the University of Sydney.
Photo by Shutterstock
January 20, 2015

Love can be hard to define. We know when we feel it. We also know the difference between platonic and romantic love, but often we aren't quite sure why it is that we fall in love. There are many theories about how love comes about. For instance, attachment theory explains that we fall in love with those whose attachment styles complement our own. By contrast, Imago theory explains that we fall in love with those who will help us to evolve and grow toward healing our childhood wounds. But one common factor to falling in love with someone is that, for whatever reason, we choose to reveal deeper parts of who we are with this person.

1. Self-disclosure and eye contact

Often, in the beginning of a relationship, we self-disclose for the purpose of getting to know someone, and to be seen by an other. Initially, it is fairly simple to disclose information about ourselves, because we are usually talking with a stranger about whom we hardly know. Divulging facts about ourselves such as where we grew up and what we enjoy doing seems easy because these are facts that most of our friends and acquaintances may know about us. As time progresses, we may feel that there is less to disclose to a partner, but often this is because the information becomes more personal, making us feel more vulnerable.

In an experiment with strangers, Arthur Aron and his colleagues instructed participants to ask a set of questions to one another to test if self-disclosure could create an instant bond. This included questions such as:

  • For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
  • What is your most treasured memory?
  • Share 5 positive characteristics about your partner.
  • How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?
  • What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?

Sometimes, in a more established relationship, it can feel more risky to become vulnerable. We humans love certainty, and revealing parts of ourselves which may create uncertainty might instill fear. Knowing that we know all there is to know about our partner makes us feel safe, so revealing aspects that the other may not yet know could seem unsafe. But surely, knowing that increasing self-disclosure can nudge the relationship to deeper connection, the risk outweighs the benefit?

These questions, along with four minutes of eye-contact made in silence, were seen to create a deep bond between participants, even though they were strangers. It would make sense, in this case, that asking these questions with an already established partner along with the eye gazing exercise, could serve to significantly enhance intimacy.

2. Sharing laughter

Remember the last time you had a good belly laugh with another person? Remember how much closer you felt with that person? Well, sharing humorous experiences with your partner contributes to increased feelings of intimacy and closeness. Humor is a very personal aspect of our personalities, as proven by the fact that we don't all share the same sense of humor. For this reason, it makes sense that when we share genuine laughter with someone else, then we feel as if they understand who we are a little better.

One study paired randomly assigned strangers and manipulated interactions to create or not create shared humorous experiences. The findings indicated that those who shared a humorous moment with the partner felt significantly closer to their partner than those who did not. Something as simple as watching a comedy with your partner where you both relate to the humor can allow you to feel closer and more intimate.

3. Exchanging feelings

Talking about how we feel within a relationship isn't always easy, but has seen to yield positive results for some couples. One study shows that couples who were instructed to deal with conflict by discussing the feelings that arose reported feeling more intimate with their partner than those who simply had a rational conversation. Revealing our feelings responsibly by using I statements can allow our partner to understand our behaviors and reactions.

Sometimes, forgetting everything we assume to know about our partner, and revisiting those intimate conversations can forge a profound bond. Remembering that often there are so many parts of others and ourselves that are hidden, even in the closest relationships, creates a space for unexpected affection. While it might feel scary to engage on a deeper level with the one you love, you may be surprised at both the depth of love you feel, as well as the increased respect you feel for the one you love.

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