Sexual Intimacy

The sexual relationship between spouses is special and significant (not to mention fun!).  It unites couples, strengthens ties, overcomes differences, builds friendship, creates families, and expresses love. 

Sexual intimacy in marriage is a vital ingredient in creating and nurturing a long-lasting, fulfilling companionship.  It's something that the two of you share, with only each other.  It's time alone, away, and (hopefully!) uninterrupted, where you can completely focus on each other.  Now THAT'S a great recipe for building a strong relationship. 

Sex creates a bond between spouses that is unlike any other.  It creates a closeness that clearly is physical, but also much more than that.  The closeness shared by truly intimate spouses is physically satisfying as well as emotionally.  "Research has found that faithful married couples are more satisfied with their sex lives than any other group. They have sex more often and enjoy it more, both physically and emotionally" (Hagey and Brewer, "Increasing Intimacy in Marriage", Forever Families).  Sexual intimacy and closeness enables couples to achieve a level of satisfaction and companionship in their marriage that can strengthen them when the storms of life come along.  This bond and closeness between spouses ripples throughout and impacts every other aspect of a marriage. 

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Not only is sexual intimacy awesome and a great way to unify you and your spouse - it's also healthy! The health benefits of sexual intimacy are real and proven.  A simple Google search can lead you to credible sources (including doctors, PhDs, as well as other medical practitioners and academics) citing the health benefits of sex, with studies to back them up.  According to researchers Olson and Olson, "Married people tend to be healthier, live longer, have more wealth and economic assets, and have more satisfying sexual relationships" (page 3, 2000).  Along with being "healthier" and "living longer" as these researchers state, additional sources state that the health benefits of sexual intimacy may also include the following:

• Helps keep your immune system running
• Boosts you Libido
• Lowers blood pressure
• Decreases risk of heart attack
• Lessens pain
• Decreases the chances of developing prostate cancer
• Improves sleep
• Eases stress

Achieving true marital intimacy requires the highest degree of trust and confidence from your spouse, and commitment to your spouse.  The sexual relationship between you and your spouse is a great way to create, build upon, and nurture feelings of trust, confidence, and commitment.  It's absolutely crucial to remember, however, that while trust can take many years to build and develop, it can be lost in seconds.  Honoring the trust placed in you by your spouse is critical.  

Sex is an experience that couples share together - and should share together regularly and often!  It's a special way to serve each other and cultivate your relationship.  In short, it's a great way to feel close to your spouse, express love for your spouse, and nurture your marriage!  Give it a try.  ;)

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