There are a lot of ways to express your love to your partner. You can be there and be present for important days and events in their life. You can buy them a thoughtful gift to show them that you appreciate them. You can hold them tight when they are having a challenging day. Dr. Gary Chapman has set out different love languages that people use to express and receive love from their loved ones. These are acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation and gift giving/receiving. In this article, we will discuss the love language of physical touch, how partners can go about applying it in their relationship and how it can benefit the relationship.
When your love language is physical touch, it means that you express your love and receive love through physical expressions more than all the other love expressions. Physical touch includes different kinds of physical affection like hugging, holding hands, shoulder squeeze and a pat on the back. These become meaningful expressions of love to someone who has a love language of physical touch. Physical touch as a love language is not only about sex, it can be expressed in different ways.
Regardless of what you may know about romantic love, a relationship can work without necessarily being dependent on sex. It is important, but there are different other ways that you can use to express your love. Physical touch, especially cuddling, releases the happy hormone oxytocin, which explains why people feel good after cuddling. Cuddling also improves the bond between the partners.
Couples can also express their love through kissing. Kissing is one easy way to show love to your partner. You can kiss them on their lips, cheeks, forehead or even their hands. Kissing is used in a lot of cultures to greet or show affection to your loved ones regardless of the kind of relationship you have. However, in romantic relationships, kissing is one of the best ways to express your love to your partner.
Simply holding your partner’s hand while taking a stroll with your partner is a beautiful gesture that can also release endorphins, which are also mood boosters. You can also hold hands indoors to express your love. This is one of the best ways to show physical affection to your partner. And as discussed above, cuddling is also one of the best ways you can also use to express your love to your partner. Cuddling can strengthen your bond with your partner, strengthening your physical and emotional connection. You and your partner can discuss who likes being the small or big “spoon” when cuddling. You can also swap your positions and alternate.
Touching your partner's skin by running your finger through their naked skin or their neck or through their hair can be an intimate way of expressing your love. Touching can be both sexual and non-sexual. You can pat your partner’s hand or lovingly hold their arm or even brush your leg against your partner’s. Touching your partner can be an effective way of showing them that you are physically attracted to them and that you love them.
Having physical touch as your love language or being in a relationship with someone who has physical touch as their love language is great because you can express your love to your partner without having to think of something smart to say to them or using your energy to go get them something or overextend yourself helping them with something. Physical touch can heighten the connection that both partners feel towards each other. When your partner arrives at home you can kindly welcome them with a kiss and a hug, and this is an effective way of allowing them to relax and take off the pressure and relax.
You can also offer your partner a massage, massage their neck, shoulders and back. This will show them that you are there for them as a source of comfort and reassure them of your love and affection. Sitting closely with your partner is also an effective way of showing them that you love them, and touch their hand every now and then.
Generally speaking, people express their love in different ways. In order to know whether physical touch is your partner’s love language, pay attention to how they act around you. If they display a lot of physical affection as discussed above, their love language is probably physical touch. However, it is always a good decision to openly ask and talk about each other’s love languages. In this way, you will understand each other better and strengthen your connection.
