10 Ways To Build Intimacy In A Relationship

We've all be there...

At first, the relationship is great. That figurative spark is burning so bright that you're in danger of setting off smoke alarms whenever you're together. You're spending almost every waking moment together, and in the moments when you're apart, all you're doing is thinking about each other. Everything is bliss.

But then...over time...that initial chemistry starts to wane. The relationship needs work, and the two options are to jump ship and set sail on a different voyage, or stick it out and put in the work to take things to the next level. For those choosing the latter course, the next step is to deepen intimacy in the relationship. Staying connected to a significant other isn't something that happens by accident - a lasting relationship is the result of dedicated effort by both partners. Connecting with your partner emotionally and mentally, and deepening that connection over time, is the key to a successful relationship. Here are 10 tips that foster intimacy and keep that spark alive:

1. Play for the same team. Make your relationship a real partnership. Build something beautiful together, and make it clear that you will support each other even if you're up against the world.
2. Make it mutual. Relationships require give and take. Cooperate, reciprocate, and compromise. Cultivate positive energy through generous actions.
3. Be your partner's safe zone. Create a safe space in which your partner feels free to express themselves and share intimate thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or repercussions.
4. Meet in the middle. Cooperation builds companionship. Take each other's passions for a test drive. Share hobbies. Explore common interests.
5. Keep your ego in check. Sometimes you'll be wrong...but so what? We can't all be right, all the time. Put your pride aside and learn to admit when you've made a mistake or owe someone an apology.
6. Reminisce together. Hit the rewind button and look back on the good times. Remembering what makes your relationship so special will deepen the bond you have in the present.
7. Listen without judgment. Hearing what your partner says is one thing...listening to what your partner says is another. Listen fully - both for what is said and what is not said - and without judgment. Practice empathy and compassion. Unconditional love is the foundation of every strong relationship.
8. Make laughter a priority. Find the fun in everything. Seek joy on a daily basis. Laugh at the little things.
9. Get to the heart of the matter. Arguments are often about superficial things that keep the real issues from coming to the forefront. Try to pinpoint and address the real reasons behind an argument, instead of getting caught up in distracting and irrelevant details.
10. Be a one-man cheerleading team. Few things make us feel closer to someone than knowing that we have their full support. Be a constant source of enthusiasm, encouragement, and acknowledgment. Celebrate them every way you can.