It’s important to understand all the ways in which physical touch can be shown—both intimately and non-intimately—so you can voice what you need more of. Below are a few ways to show and feel love when physical touch is your love language.
1. Hug, hug, hug. Let’s face it, you love when your partner wraps you in a bear hug every time you come home from work. They’re warm, cozy and smell like hints of full-bodied whiskey and bouquet of fresh roses. If you’re in a new relationship, talk to your partner and gauge their comfort level when it comes to hugs so they don’t misconstrue your embraces as a sign of clinginess, insecurity or over-affection.
2. K-I-S-S-I-N-G. You don’t have to be sittin’ in a tree to do this activity—though we’re not stopping you. There’s nothing you love more, physical toucher, than when you kiss your partner. On top of being just downright fun, kissing is an enjoyable way you register how much you’re valued and appreciated. Whether it’s a thank you peck after you do the dishes—because their love language is acts of service—or a steamy hello kiss, each touch of their lips tells you, “I care.”
3. Get handsy and get massaging. OK, you probably shouldn’t demand massages every night, but getting a simple stroke of the leg or scratch of the arm while watching the March Madness games can mean the world to you. And let’s talk about that time they ran their hand in circles along your lower back at Jason’s summer soiree. It’s safe to say you got the best kind of chills and quickly pulled an Irish exit to get to the bedroom.
4. Be the little spoon to their big spoon. Whether you had a tough day in the office or you just woke up from the best sleep of your life, a quick cuddle session can boost those feel-good serotonin levels right up.
5. Make love. If you’re one year into your budding romance or coming up on 40, there’s so much you learn when you explore each other’s bodies…and you can’t get enough of it. If you’re looking to spice things up between the sheets, suggest a new position or direct their hands along your body to discover and unlock new pleasure spots you were both oblivious to.
6. Hover touch. A little less obvious than the aforementioned examples—but nonetheless important—hover touching is a way to subtly show physical reassurance in public or private settings. This may look like resting your arm against your partner’s arm while sitting on a friend’s couch or grazing backs when nearby. Footsy? Game on. The point of this one is to send electric shockwaves through their body that says in the steamiest Bridgerton fashion, “I burn for you.”