Intimacy doesn't just happen. It's built through intentional practice. This guide provides practical exercises to strengthen both emotional and physical connection with your partner.
Last updated: January 2026
Adults (18+) only. Evidence-based exercises for couples.
Intimacy doesn't maintain itself. In the early stages of a relationship, connection happens naturally through novelty and chemistry. But over time, without intentional effort, couples often drift into parallel lives, sharing space but not truly connecting.
Intimacy exercises turn abstract "connection" into concrete practice. They give you structured ways to build closeness, especially when you're not sure how to bridge the gap. Think of them like exercises for a muscle: the more you practice, the stronger the connection becomes.
These exercises work for couples at any stage, whether you're trying to deepen an already strong connection or rebuild after a period of distance.
What it is: Sitting facing each other and maintaining eye contact in silence for several minutes.
How to do it:
Why it works: Extended eye contact releases oxytocin, creates vulnerability, and bypasses the verbal defenses we usually hide behind. Research shows 4 minutes of eye gazing significantly increases feelings of love and attraction.
What it is: Taking turns sharing deeper thoughts or feelings while the other listens without responding.
How to do it:
Prompts to use:
What it is: A structured daily practice of expressing specific gratitude for each other.
How to do it:
Why it works: Regular appreciation counteracts the negativity bias we all have. It trains your brain to notice what's working and ensures your partner knows they're valued.
What it is: A research-backed set of questions that progressively build intimacy through mutual vulnerability.
How to do it:
Sample questions:
What it is: A touch-based exercise developed by sex therapists Masters and Johnson. Partners take turns touching each other non-sexually, focusing purely on sensation.
How to do it (Stage 1):
Why it works: Removes performance pressure, rebuilds physical connection without expectation, and helps couples rediscover each other's bodies. Often used therapeutically for couples who've lost physical connection.
What it is: Breathing together in rhythm, which creates physical and emotional synchronization.
How to do it:
Variations:
What it is: Hugging for at least 20 seconds, which is long enough to trigger oxytocin release.
How to do it:
Why it works: Most hugs last 3 seconds. Extended hugs activate the parasympathetic nervous system, release oxytocin, and create genuine physical connection that brief hugs don't achieve.
What it is: Taking turns giving each other focused, intentional massages without sexual expectations.
How to do it:
Why it works: Touch without expectation rebuilds physical comfort and trust. It also teaches partners how the other likes to be touched.
Soul gazing with touch:
The body scan share:
Appreciation with touch:
Start small:
Schedule it:
Create the right environment:
Debrief after:
Couples Flirt includes step-by-step intimacy exercises and daily prompts designed to help couples stay connected.
Adults (18+) only. Private by design.
Intimacy exercises are structured activities designed to increase emotional and physical connection between partners. They include eye gazing, sensate focus touch exercises, vulnerability sharing, synchronized breathing, and physical connection practices.
These exercises create dedicated time for connection, build communication skills, increase physical and emotional attunement, and help couples reconnect after periods of distance or stress. They turn abstract "connection" into concrete practice.
Eye gazing involves sitting facing each other and maintaining eye contact in silence for several minutes. Start with 2-3 minutes and build up. It creates intimacy, releases oxytocin, and often surfaces emotions. Research shows extended eye contact increases feelings of love and attraction.
Sensate focus is a touch-based exercise developed by sex therapists Masters and Johnson. Partners take turns touching each other non-sexually, focusing purely on sensation rather than arousal. It rebuilds physical connection and removes performance pressure.
Weekly practice is a good starting point. Some exercises can be done daily (gratitude sharing, physical check-ins). More intensive exercises like sensate focus work best weekly. Consistency matters more than frequency.
Yes, they're particularly valuable when couples feel disconnected. These exercises provide structured ways to rebuild connection without awkwardness. Start with emotional exercises if physical intimacy feels uncomfortable, then progress to physical exercises as trust rebuilds.
We're building Couples Flirt to help committed partners deepen their connection, with guided exercises and daily prompts built in.
Adults (18+) only. Private by design.