What is Marital Intimacy?

Intimacy is the closeness of your relationship with your spouse—emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, sexually, and in many other ways. Intimacy is not an end goal but rather a journey that last throughout your marriage. Marriage and family researchers, Schaefer and Olson (1981) describe attaining intimacy as “a process that occurs over time and is never completed or fully accomplished” (p.50).

As you both grow and develop, each of you changes. If you neglect intimacy in your marriage, you will grow apart. The time to work on intimacy is now. Let Higgins Counseling Services partner with you along that journey, to offer, support, insight, tips and suggestion that will create a healthy and delightful relationship.

Benefits of Intimacy in Marriage

Studies show that marriage offers many benefits. According to Olson and Olson (2000), “Married people tend to be healthier, live longer, have more wealth and economic assets, and have more satisfying sexual relationships than single or cohabiting individuals. In addition, children generally do better emotionally and academically when they are raised in two-parent families” (p. 3).

The physical benefits of marriage are widely supported by research. Several recent studies, for example, found heart benefits that are particularly dramatic for men. Yale scientists found that husbands who reported feeling loved and supported by their wives had less artery-blockage than those who did not (Ornish). Mental health is also better for couples with healthy intimacy. Researchers Firestone and Catlett (1999) say, “In our opinion, love is the one force that is capable of easing {depression}” p. 13.

Contact our office to schedule your FREE consultation and begin the process of finding hope, peace and renewal in your marriage.