What are some good intimacy techniques to help strengthen relationships?

I take the kids and do something to give my wife a break. Or I do the dishes without being asked.

That is, I’ve learned that one of the best things I can do is be mindful and considerate of my wife and give her support when she needs it.

The another thing I’ve learned is to listen to her blow off steam without judging or offering advice.

I think the most effective thing you can do is also the most difficult, especially for the male partner in a heterosexual couple.

What really has made the difference for me in my current relationship (which I profoundly hope and believe will survive until death does us part) is that I have learned, with much effort, to be emotionally available, open and vulnerable, despite my fears.

The less self-protective I behave, the closer we are able to be, and thankfully we appear to have begun a benevolent cycle – each time I manage to be less self-protective, the concomitant reward seems to be greater, encouraging me to take further chances.

I fervently wish I had learned this when I was much younger, but it is sure paying off now, and that’s what counts.

Listen

Full body massages.
See ya….Gary/wtf

I like Wtf’s answer!! :D

I once dated someone who loved to take showers with me. He insisted that he wash me and I wash him… And I think it actually helped to make us closer as a couple. It was romantic, relaxing, and intimate. I mean, we broke up in the end, but I’m pretty gay so that was no big surprise. :D

Sometimes if I have a headache he’ll read to me in bed. He has such a soothing voice that this always makes me feel better regardless of the subject matter of the book.

Cooking something special and healthy works, too.

Basically anything you can do that shows the other person you care about them will bring you closer.

Every woman is different. If you’re lucky you can relax with each other and watch a football game. If not, you’re just like the rest of us and you have to listen and put in the wifey time. (yes i know.. sounds horribly insensitive.. but.. what the hell.. honesty is honesty)

A couple months ago my boyfriend and I sat down and had a talk about this very subject. We’re long distance during the fall/winter/spring so I only get to see him once a week at the very best, and I had begun to feel a little too removed from him for my taste. That night on the phone, I talked to him about how little conversations throughout the day are really important to me. The way he operates is one big conversation maybe once a week, maybe some mini conversations throughout the day, and he’s set – but for me doing that wasn’t quite as fulfilling mostly because I have a really bad memory and can’t seem to remember anything substantial to save up for a week.

So he started to text me more and now we try to have a substantial phone conversation every day if we have the time (if not, that’s alright). This move has been tremendous for our relationship. I feel like we’re closer than ever before and a lot of the things that used to bug me have just magically stopped bugging me (weeeeird). We’re doing more growing together, our communication is better, our intimacy has flourished… and with our recent discovery of Skype phone bills are no longer an issue.

@pdworkin, I know that it’s not only men who have that problem.

Decide to trust your partner in order to enable yourself to be as vulnerable and open as @pdworkin suggests.