Elephants and Tea - September 2022 - 12

Sexuality INTIMATE ISSUES WITH MARLOE
Is For
Emotional
Intimacy
WHAT IS INTIMACY?
Intimacy is a deep sense of closeness and
connection with another person. It includes
feeling seen and understood, valued, and
supported, and reciprocating this type of
caring and compassion in return. Relationships
demonstrating high levels of intimacy
are built on mutual empathy, vulnerability,
and trust. Intimacy-which takes time to
develop-fosters a sense of safety and security
in the partnership.
As you may have noticed, this definiBY
MARLOE ESCH, BSN, RN, OCN, CSC
Cancer has a way of disrupting almost every aspect of a person's
life, including sex. If you're like most young survivors, you may
be struggling with a number of things that can affect how
sexual you feel, or whether or not you're interested in or able
to engage in sexual activity. This is totally normal. Sometimes,
though, altered sexual routines can also impact a couple's
emotional closeness. If you are in a romantic relationship, it's
important to remember that there are lots of ways to share
intimacy that don't include sex.
12
ELEPHANTSANDTEA.COM
SEPTEMBER 2022
tion of intimacy doesn't pertain only to
romantic or sexual relationships. Further,
good sex does not require an intimate
connection, and intimacy does not ensure
rockstar sex. But . . . when it comes to longterm
romantic relationships, intimacy is
certainly a key component of success and
satisfaction. For example, the ingredients
that build emotional intimacy, such as
understanding, affection, and trust, can
motivate us to seek physical intimacy
with someone. On the flip side, sharing a
sexual experience together can enrich an
emotional connection.
INTIMACY, INTERRUPTED
In romantic relationships, intimacy can
be expressed physically through affection
and sexual touch, and emotionally through
talking and sharing experiences together.
After cancer, it's common for couples to
encounter temporary shifts in their sexual
relationship. For some couples, maintaining
an emotional connection during disruptions
W 18
AYS
TO CULTIVATE
CONNECTION IN YOUR
RELATIONSHIP
THAT DON'T
INCLUDE SEX
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Elephants and Tea - September 2022

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