By Dr. Lalitha Reddy Palle
In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, a healthy romantic relationship has become paramount for men to make life more fulfilling and enjoyable. In a bid to cultivate such a relationship, one must share their deepest emotions and thoughts with their partner, or, in simple terms, build emotional intimacy. Despite the contrary belief, emotions are as vital for men as they are for women.
However, not every male can express themselves freely to their partner on the topic of emotional intimacy, likely due to the societal expectations of masculinity. As a result, there are communication gaps and misunderstandings among couples, which could have an impact on men’s sexual wellbeing. Therefore, in a bid to negate these issues, men must understand the significance of emotional intimacy in their intimate relationships.
Exploring emotional intimacy
Emotional intimacy refers to a connection between two individuals that results in their intimate closeness. In addition, both individuals feel safe and secure with one another. However, if we go deeper, emotional intimacy goes far beyond a feeling of closeness. It cultivates when an individual strives to know their partner on a deeper level, comprehending their life events and meaning about the living. As a result, it allows individuals, especially men, to know and see what their partner truly is. In a bid to develop this level of closeness, one has to put their guard down and trust the other person’s feelings, which is challenging for males to do.
That is the reason why emotional intimacy is different for different people. For some men, it can mean turning to their partner for support when they are angry or upset. For others, it may be making time to sit together and discuss a topic that is causing them distress. This involves sharing different types of emotions, which eventually builds emotional intimacy between two people and results in a meaningful connection and a healthy sexual relationship.
The emotional and sexual connection
Men may not be very expressive, but deep inside they have their own emotional needs. Apart from their physical needs, they strive to look for a partner who can provide them with comforting companionship, emotional security, appreciation, and a good level of understanding. This is where emotional intimacy plays a crucial role, which can significantly impact sexual wellness for men. Once a male gets that emotional comfort from their partner, it can elevate their sexual experience.
Primarily, when a male is emotionally connected with their partner, he is less likely to be plagued by performance anxiety. The connection between them creates a healthy environment where men can discuss their desires as well as their fears. This ultimately results in both individuals experiencing a satisfying sexual encounter. Secondly, emotional intimacy also fosters an open dialogue and makes the individuals aware of the non-verbal cues during the act.
Stress can have a detrimental impact on men’s sexual well-being. It can further lead to issues such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and several relationship problems. However, sexual intercourse with emotional intimacy can also be a tool to de-stress for males. Any sexual activity can be advantageous for reducing stress owing to the release of feel-good hormones such as oxytocin and endorphins. Therefore, the need of the hour for men is to be open about expressing themselves and cultivating emotional intimacy with their partners.
Cultivating emotional intimacy
In a bid to maintain emotional intimacy in a relationship, one requires commitment, effort, and consistency. Several practices can be used by men to cultivate emotional intimacy with their partners:
Communicate: Communication is a paramount way to reach emotional intimacy. An open dialogue can help men share their feelings without fear of judgment. These conversations can also be about any issues or changes a partner is feeling in a relationship.
Be honest. Honesty is the bedrock of a healthy relationship. It is the key to building trust, vulnerability, and authenticity.
Practice empathy: One must understand that their partner could get emotional with certain things, which is why it is vital to be empathetic towards the significant other.
Prioritise sexual satisfaction: Having sexual intercourse with your partner is a crucial form of building emotional intimacy. It not only lets you explore your partner’s desires but also improves emotional bonding, which is vital for a long-term and healthy sexual relationship.
All things considered
Emotional intimacy can be considered a glue that holds sexual intimacy together, which is why it directly impacts the sexual wellness of men. Neuroscience says that sexual and emotional intimacy are connected via the release of oxytocin, which has a crucial role to play in social bonding, reproduction, and more. Therefore, men must pay utmost attention to their emotional intimacy with their partners.
The ways they can do this are by staying open to communication, being honest, practicing empathy, and prioritising sexual satisfaction. By striving to understand emotional intimacy and taking time to build it with their partner, men will not only enjoy a satisfying sexual life but also build a strong bond that is the key to any healthy relationship.
(The author is Founder, ForMen Health. Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of the FinancialExpress.com.)
