Relationships Articles

Remember when you were little and holding the hand of your mother and father made you feel loved, safe, and secure regardless of where you were?  This is not something that we outgrow as we age, in fact we continue to feel loved and safe and secure when someone that cares about us takes us by the hand.  Hand holding and other non sexual type touch is important in a relationship.  You should hold the hand of your spouse whenever you have the chance as this really fosters a physical closeness in a relationship that is different and separate from your sexual relationship.

Of course, you don’t have to limit yourselves to hand holding, although this is something that you could do whether you are grocery shopping, watching television, walking to the car, or at a party with friends. There is always time to touch one another to express affection, but to do so without actually attempting to have sexual contact.   Some other things that you can do to foster this same closeness that is not based on sex include:

? Rubbing of the neck and back
? Hugging
? Sitting leg to leg or with a hand on a knee or thigh
? Unplanned kisses
? Cuddling
? Walking with your arms around one another
? Rub the hand or arm of your partner
? Caress your partner’s head, neck, or face
? Placing your hand on their shoulder
? Placing your arm around your mate’s waste

This type of touch is not sexual, it is simply loving and tender in nature.  It’s important to have this type of touching in your relationship because it will make you both feel that someone has true affection for you aside from your sexual relationship.  Nonsexual touch of this nature will also help to build trust, comfort, and intimacy with one another on a whole new level.

When a relationship is new nonsexual touch is usually at its peak.  This has to do with the fact that there is so much that has not been explored and you just cannot keep your hands off of one another.  As the relationship matures we stop touching so much and this takes away from the overall comfort level and intimacy that was shared in the beginning of the relationship.  Often the nonsexual touching that is experienced is a matter of habit, kisses when we leave and when we come home, but none of it is really very gratifying.  Make time for these simple touches in your relationship and see how it can enhance your connection all the way around.  Chances are it will do good things for both of you and your partnership!