Setting the Stage for Sexual Intimacy

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“Even people who look foreward to being sexual with their partner must go through a transition from responsibility to pleasure.” ~ Esther Perel

Linda: As the years pass by, the strong desire for making love can diminish. And the competing urgencies of our life can claim more of our time with careers, household tasks and children being the recipient of our best energy. Only a strong intention and a firm commitment to keep the lover component of our partnership alive and well will overcome the many demands of our life.

Interrupting the regular routine to make time for sexual play is a reasonable guideline. Transitioning from the responsible, capable, industrious, self-disciplined, and controlled causer of results, to the playful, creative, out of control, wild, euphoric, wonder filled, passionate adventurer is so good for us. When taking on the challenge of regularly setting aside the roles of roommates, business partners, and co-parents to be lovers to reinforce the pleasure bond, we are making a wise choice.

Taking time to remember the deep pleasure of bringing erotic sensation to each other is a primary way of keeping the vitality of the relationship high. According to research by Muise, Schimmak, and Impett, (Sexual frequency predicts greater well-being but is not always better in Social Psychological and Personality Science 7(4) p. 295-302 -2016) more frequent sex is linked to greater relationship satisfaction. The commitment to transition from the world of responsibility, work and results to sexual play is both physically pleasurable and beneficial for the relationship by keeping the bond strong. Keeping the erotic charge operative can only result from willful intent. If you are intentional, you may already be doing some of the recommendations offered here. There is always more that we can add to spice up the essential erotic connection.

• a deliberate, conscious choice to not allow sex to slip off the priority list.
• a spoke agreement with our partner to make the sensual connection a regular feature of the partnership
• carving out of stone, if need be, to make sufficient time for lovemaking even if other important people and tasks must wait for our attention
• thinking sexy thoughts to start savoring the pleasure and to prime the pump by perking up sexual energy anticipating being with our lover
• leaving sexy voice mail messages, email and text messaging to flirt with our partner
• emotional intimacy and sharing from the heart is great foreplay
• risking sharing sexual fantasies will give you both ideas to play with
• adventure is being willing to be experimental and try new things, even if they are a bit edgy because the best long-term romantic partnerships are characterized by continually bringing novelty into their relationship (if things get too edgy, you can always have a safe word to stop)
• the set and setting can enhance romance, candles, a red light, music, poetry, silky sheets, evocative scented oils and lotions
• generosity of spirit is finding out what turns our partner on and when ever possible, helping them to get all that they desire
• being a gracious receiver by being the happy recipient of their generosity of spirit and letting them know our gratitude
• full body touch and home made massage lengthen and heightens the sensual experience.

Enjoy!