Love & Relationship
Physical Relationship: Is It Really Important For A Relationship To Work?
To begin, I’d want to state that sex does not have to be a component of every relationship. Waiting a set amount of time or until a certain life milestone (such as getting married) before having sex may be essential to you.
To begin, I’d want to state that sex does not have to be a component of every relationship.
Waiting a set amount of time or until a certain life milestone (such as getting married) before having sex may be essential to you.
“There are people who are asexual who are in relationships where sex in a relationship is mutually unimportant or undesired, and those relationships are just as valid, caring, and intimate as any others,” says Liz Powell, PsyD, an LGBTQ-friendly sex educator, coach, and professional psychologist.
What is a physical relationship?
However, for those who choose to include sex in their relationships, it is critical.
Because you and your partner must “navigate, communicate, and compromise” when it comes to sex—both having it and talking about it, according to Shadeen Francis, sex, marriage, and family therapist.
Are you aware of each other’s needs and desires? Do you have enough faith in your partner to be vulnerable with them? And to treat your body with deference?
Importance of physical relationship:
Why sex is important in a relationship?
The emotional benefits of touch include a strong sense of being accepted and cared for. Touch has physiological benefits as well.
In one study, partners had lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, on days when they had more physical contact, such as hand-holding or embracing. (High cortisol levels have been linked to elevated heart rate and blood pressure.)
The researchers believe that the good emotions evoked by physical touch contentment, relaxation, and alertness are directly linked to decreased cortisol levels.
Another study discovered that when persons engaged in more physically intimate behaviors over days, their symptoms of physical difficulties (back/muscle soreness, headache, insomnia, upset stomach, rash/skin irritation, and sickness/injury) decreased.
In a third study, regular and recurrent physical touch was connected to higher levels of oxytocin (a calming, happiness-promoting hormone), lower cortisol levels in both spouses, and lower blood pressure in husbands.
6 Reasons why physical relationship is important:
1. It offers you a rush of emotions
Does sex / physical intimacy strengthen a relationship? Maybe it does!
One of the main reasons individuals perform super-intense workouts is for the pleasant afterglow. And it turns out that the release of feel-good hormones gives you a comparable high after sex.
The following is how it works: Sex causes the brain to release dopamine, which boosts your motivation and happiness; testosterone, which boosts your work performance; and endorphins, which alleviate stress and discomfort.
According to psychologist and relationship specialist Danielle Forshee, PsyD, “all of these hormones together play a complex role in human pair-bonding and are vital in preserving the glue of a relationship.”
2. Sex can help you relax and unwind
You’ve undoubtedly tried the tried-and-true de-stressing techniques like deep breathing, massages, hot baths, and even hotter yoga by now.
But why not throw in some sex?
According to Francis, “sex releases oxytocin into the bloodstream, which promotes relaxation and stress alleviation.” “Moreover, oxytocin fights cortisol, the key stress hormone,” Schewitz adds.
Experts have shown that sex has a similar power to alleviate tension by triggering the brain’s reward system to that of consuming enjoyable “comfort food.”
An orgasm isn’t required to reap the advantages: After only 20 seconds of skin-to-skin contact, your body releases oxytocin, thus any kind of physical contact is advantageous.
3. It can help you feel more confident
While sex may not immediately raise your BDE levels to Rihanna levels, “it may be an enormously confidence-boosting, body-loving event for some people,” Francis explains.
“Most of us are insecure in some way, whether it’s about our physical appearance or not. Being validated by someone we love and trust, on the other hand, can help us gain confidence.”
According to Courtney Cleman, CFA, co-founder of The V. Club, a wellness and education institution in New York City, that dopamine rush also helps increase your mojo. “The more dopamine we have, the better we feel and the better we feel about ourselves,” she explains.
4. You’ll both enjoy a better night’s sleep as a result of this
Sex helps sleep by releasing a hormone called prolactin after you orgasm, in addition to raising oxytocin and decreasing cortisol.
This hormone can help you sleep longer and spend more time in the REM stage of the sleep cycle, which is when your brain and body are re-energized and your dreams happen.
A good night’s sleep is essential to living a healthy lifestyle, not least because it improves your mental health. Increased mental well-being also means decreased irritation, resulting in fewer confrontations with your partner.
5. The intimacy isn’t limited to the bedroom
“[Sex] produces a feedback cycle of intimacy,” adds Coleman.
“You’ll have more closeness outside the bedroom if you have more intimacy in the bedroom, and vice versa.”
This is supported by research. Sex predicts affection, and affection predicts sexual activity, according to a study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
“People who have physical touch as one of their core love languages would benefit from this loop,” Francis says, alluding to the concept established by Gary Chapman in his best-selling book.
“If intimate contact is how we express and receive love from our partners,” she explains, “then sex is a gateway for how we communicate affection and love.”
6. The finest post-sex cuddling (but really)
For some people, being all snuggly-wiggly with your sweetie is not only one of the best parts of the relationship (it’s like a blanket burrito, but better), but it may also strengthen your bond.
Kissing and cuddling after sex lead to a more satisfying and healthier relationship.
According to a study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior. (Oxytocin FTW once more.) But, of course, the sex has to come first to reap the post-sex perks.
Sexual intimacy in a romantic physical relationship
It is critical to share a wide range of feelings with a partner; otherwise, regardless matter how positive one’s sexual experiences may be, some people may feel lonely and alone.
‘Making love’ for many couples entails a sense of intimacy and emotional closeness.
An intimate sexual relationship necessitates mutual trust and vulnerability.
Other forms of intimacy, such as emotional and spiritual closeness, are linked to sexual intimacy.
Intercourse is just one aspect of sexual intimacy, which also includes foreplay and other types of physical closeness.
Consider ways to express love and affection without using sex, and keep in mind that sex encompasses a wide range of physical touch. The more intimate a couple is with each other in ways other than sex, the more gratifying it is.
Is sexual compatibility important in a sexual relationship?
The problem is that there is no correct answer. It is for some people, and it isn’t for others.
In long-term partnerships, the value of sexual compatibility in your relationship may shift with time, especially as you build more companionship with each other.
Your sexuality, as well as your needs and desires, might change throughout time.
A healthy relationship has many other aspects outside of sex, such as trust, communication, enjoyment, playfulness, collaboration, friendship, and so on. Sexual compatibility might fluctuate, but it’s more consistent when you’re also taking care of the other aspects of your relationship.
Is it wrong to have physical relationships before marriage?
Sex before marriage or sex without a relationship also called friends with benefits, should ideally be a decision made by two individuals who are clear about their goals in life.
Even if your relationship does not lead to marriage, it is still crucial to understand why you desire physical closeness.
If you do have sex, do it for the proper reasons: out of your own free will, not because your partner is pressuring you.
It’s also a way to show your mutual admiration and respect for one another. However, if you are prepared to have sex with your partner, please take responsibility for protecting your own body to avoid undesired pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases.
Some people, however, do require sex to maintain a good and happy relationship.
What matters is that you find a partner who is aware of your needs and desires, regardless of their nature. Every love and sexual relationship requires open communication.