What is sexual intimacy? Sex is an act shared between you and your spouse that feels great and brings you closer. Intimacy is a close emotional bond between you and a partner. Bring the two together and you have a deep connection that will strengthen your marriage.

Being intimate means more than just getting physical with your partner. Having sexual intimacy with your partner creates a deep emotional connection that contributes to a more satisfying sexual bond. Not everyone will find it easy to develop sexual intimacy and connect with their spouse during sex. That's why we're looking at 6 ways you can deepen your bond with your partner through sexual intimacy.

People let down their emotional guards during sex. Also, the release of the "cuddle hormone" oxytocin triggers feelings of connectedness that allows partners to be vulnerable and establish trust with one another.

A new and extremely well-conducted investigation by Anik Debrot and colleagues (2017) points to the surprising role not of the sex itself, but of the affection that accompanies sexuality between partners. The impact of sex on happiness was accounted for, in large part, by increases in affection linked to prior sexual activity.

It discusses how men and women may perceive sexual intimacy differently: Men need physical closeness to open up and share emotional intimacy and women need emotional intimacy to explore the possibility of something physical. This can often create frustration in relationships and turn into a sexual stalemate.

Di also shared that studies show that couples that are the happiest with their relationship feel comfortable and safe to say, 'no' to sex without the fear of a negative response, anger or sulking. This can create a respect and sense of safety that brings about more closeness than before.