Non-sexual physical intimacy is one of The 6 Pillars of Intimacy®, and it's so important in your marriage.

Today's article is sure to be a game changer for the two of you when it comes to physical intimacy. It's filled with tons of tips and information about how to use massage to strengthen your connection.

Building this pillar of intimacy is a great way to feel connected with each other in every season of marriage. Plus, it can feel amazing!

Love you guys,

Tony & Alisa

This Week's Article

Massage is a tool you can add to your marriage toolbox to keep your physical intimacy strong.

Physical intimacy is the closeness and connection created through your loving touch. It’s any non-sexual touch that you enjoy, including holding hands, kissing, cuddling, and more.

Throughout your marriage, you may have never given or received a massage. Or, you might have tried once or twice but never got the hang of it.

No matter your experience massaging your spouse, there are plenty of reasons to try (or try again).

Click Here for Massage 101

Test Your Knowledge

Question: Among married couples, what percentage have oral sex at least monthly?

A. 53%

B. 65%

C. 79%

D. 84%

Scroll to the end for the answer.

If You're Grateful and You Know It...

One way to strengthen your Emotional Intimacy Pillar is by expressing gratitude. The simple act of verbalizing appreciation helps create a positive cycle in your marriage.

While feeling grateful is good, it’s important to express it. Gratitude goes much further when it is communicated.

There are countless ways to show gratitude to your spouse. Consider how you can implement these ideas below—or any of your own—into your marriage. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or earth-shattering. Expressing gratitude starts with looking for the good in your spouse.

1. Say “thank you” in the moment.

When you catch your spouse doing something you appreciate, say it! Express your appreciation right there and then. Don’t risk forgetting. Even a simple “Thanks for doing that” can completely change their day and yours. And remember, you can express appreciation for even the simplest of things. Don’t feel limited in how you express gratitude.

2. Write down your gratitude.

How often have you kept a note from someone because it meant something to you? Did you keep it on your nightstand, in your wallet, or on the fridge? It’s no different in marriage. Written appreciation can have lasting effects. A note of gratitude can deepen your emotional intimacy with your spouse. It doesn’t matter if you jot it down on a sticky note, type it in a text, or write it in a letter. Taking a few moments to express your gratitude in writing can reinforce your marriage’s emotional intimacy.

3. Accept appreciation from your spouse.

As we already know, expressing gratitude benefits both the giver and the recipient. So, while you seek to thank your spouse more often, allow them to do the same.

Sometimes, it can be easy to blow off a compliment. When your spouse thanks you for running an errand for them, you might say, “Well, I was running errands anyway, so it was no big deal.” Both you and your spouse should be able to express gratitude to each other. Rather than dismissing your spouse’s appreciation, acknowledge and accept it.

Click Here to Bust 3 Myths About Gratitude