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Humans are emotional beings. So, how important is an emotional connection in a relationship? People get attracted to a person’s physical appearance and often rush into a relationship. However, after a while, the attraction between the partners may fade, and the relationship will come to an end. It is the emotional connection that binds two souls together and helps build a successful and fulfilling relationship. In this post, we talk about the importance of emotional bonding with your partner and how to build it.
What is an Emotional Connection?
An emotional connection means to understand and trust your partner in a way, which nobody else can.
In other words, an emotional connection is the bond or closeness shared between two people that is beyond physical needs. It is having a deep love to accept each other’s flaws, and believe that your partner is the only one for this lifetime. Be it happiness or misery, you will never leave their side.
An emotional connection needs time and effort from both the partners, and once they achieve it, that relationship can survive any storm.
Emotional connection need not be exactly like how they write in books or portray in movies. It can be different for different couples. Here are a couple of examples:
- The fights between you do not last for more than a day and you break the silence irrespective of who started it.
- In a room full of people, your spouse gives you “the look” and you immediately understand what they meant.
Why is an Emotional Connection Important in a relationship?
This question is like asking, “Why is air important for a fire to burn?” Emotional connection is like the air that keeps the fire in your relationship burning. When couples are connected emotionally, they share everything from their darkest secrets to deepest fears, and this builds trust and loyalty.
Still not convinced? Here are some benefits both of you can reap from an emotionally connected relationship.
- You respect each other: When you and your partner are connected emotionally, you love them for who they are, and not for how they look. You accept their flaws, and when this happens, their positives make you respect them as a person. Having mutual respect is critical for a long-term relationship because when you respect your partner, you value their dreams, feelings, and fears.
Quick fact- Conversations get interesting: Do you share a good rapport and hang out with your partner the same way you do with your best friend? Yes! When you are emotionally connected, you can joke and talk about the silliest of things without the fear of being judged. The usual tea-time conversations excite you, and both of you look forward to spending quality time together.
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- Trust and security increase: Why does a child laugh when tossed up in the air? Because they are confident that there is someone to catch them. Similarly, emotionally connected partners know they can rely on each other. They have the confidence that no matter how difficult the situation is, they will always be there for each other.
- Communication becomes a cake walk: You could have infinite love for your partner, but if you are unable to convey the same, how will they know? Many couples have affection but fail in communication. This will not be the case if you are emotionally connected to your partner. Both are in sync and can sense each other’s needs and expectations. Moreover, you will also know how to put forward your views without offending your partner.
Quick fact- Increases overall well-being: When you are in an intimate relationship with someone, your body releases a hormone known as oxytocin, which results in increased confidence, trust, and love (1). When two people are emotionally connected, they tend to be worry-free, and this boosts the physical as well as emotional health, which in turn, improves your overall well-being.
After understanding its importance, you would want to know if you are emotionally connected to your partner. Read on to know the signs.
What Are The Signs You Are Emotionally Connected To Your Partner?
Look at these signs to know if you and your spouse are emotionally connected.
- Your communication never ceases. When you and your partner are emotionally connected, you will have so many things to talk that time will fall short. The communication will be consistent, be it over the phone or in person. You update your partner about your day and vice versa. If your friends tease you for spending too much with your partner, then be happy, as you are on the right track.
- You understand your partner’s unique humor. If your partner is funny in a way which only you can understand, then it is a sign of emotional connection. Laughter creates positive vibes and lightens the mood. Studies also back the fact that couples who laugh together stay together (2).
- You value each other’s opinion. You constantly seek each other’s advice and respect opinions. For example, if you discuss with your wife before inviting friends over for dinner, then it sends out a signal that you value her time. When a person feels valued and appreciated, then they tend to reciprocate.
- You fight the world for each other. This does not mean you expect your partner to defend you at all times. But, when you hear someone bad-mouthing your partner you won’t accept that. You protect your partner from everything, even from their fears.
- You have no second thoughts. “Does he love me? Is this relationship meant to be?” In an emotionally connected relationship, you will not have to guess your partner’s love. You’ll share fondness for one another and are sure what you and your partner feel is genuine.
- You bring out the best in each other. Do your friends tell you that you are looking happier than ever, more confident than before? Then, be glad as you and your partner are emotionally connected, and they bring out the best in you.
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- Your fights are constructive. Do emotionally connected partners never fight? No, any relationship will have fights. But when you are emotionally connected, you fight to resolve a conflict, and not destroy each other with words. If you stop talking to each other, you reconcile sooner than later.
- You show your vulnerability. Your boss scolded you at work, or you had a fight with the cab driver on your way back. You are feeling overwhelmed and are controlling your feelings. But the moment you see your partner, you drop your guard and seek refuge in your partner. This is because partners who are emotionally connected are not afraid of exposing their vulnerabilities to each other.
- You call them out on what they do wrong. Emotionally connected partners understand when the other person is going wrong and are not afraid of calling them out. Yes, the truth may hurt, but both understand that the advice is well-intentioned and that it is only for their good.
Point to considerDo you have most of these traits in your relationship? Then you are emotionally connected with your partner. But if you do not align with most of these signs, then the emotional quotient might be missing.
What Are The Reasons For Lack Of Emotional Connection In A Relationship?
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Without the emotional connection, the relationship will wither like a plant without water. When you don’t know your partner’s true identity, you cannot trust them. Without trust, you cannot be open and honest with your partner.
Here are a few reasons for lack of emotional connection in a relationship:
- One of the partners is not willing to open up.
- You (or your partner) had a bad experience in a past relationship.
- You both are too busy in life, and ignore each other’s feelings.
- You fail to communicate the real feelings.
Erin and Jay Howard talk about the lessons they learned after being married for five years. Revealing their initial inability to effectively communicate, Erin writes, “One of mine and Jay’s weaknesses when we first got married was being upset with each other and not talking about it. His was out of pride that he didn’t want to admit he needed anything from me, and mine was just this awful passive-aggressiveness because I ‘didn’t feel like talking about it.’ So having an upset husband that’s not talking about it and an upset wife that’s not talking about it. I bet you can figure out how well that worked out for us (i).”
- You assume and read too much into each other’s actions.
- One of the partners is a hermit when it comes to expressing their emotions.
In spite of the reasons, it is never too late to start working on an emotional connection. Just that you have to be sincere in your efforts.
How to Build an Emotional Connection with your Partner?
Emotional connection is not rocket science. You and your partner can achieve it with patience and constant effort. Here are a few ways to connect emotionally with your partner.
- Make your partner feel wanted. Make your partner realize how lucky you feel to have them in your life. If your spouse is the best thing that has ever happened to you, then show your devotion to them. If you are not that good with words, show them with little acts of love such as cooking their favorite meal, dressing up according to their choice, etc. This will make your partner reciprocate and thus, build trust, which, with time turns into an emotional connection.
- Try to be empathetic. Empathy plays a significant role in developing an emotional connection. When you can see things from your spouse’s perspective, then you will understand rather than assume things. When your spouse has to cancel your date plan because something urgent came up at work, you can be thoughtful and know that it has nothing to do with you, and they need to be at work.
- Talk about your childhood. Another way to increase emotional connectivity is to talk about each other’s childhood and the times before you both met. Tell them how naughty you were, how you aspired to become a pilot, share with them the silly things you did. By doing this, you are inviting your spouse to get a peek into your vulnerabilities. Also, sharing your childhood will help them understand the events that made you what you are now.
- Tell them about the moment when you fell in love with them. It could be how they took care of you when you fell sick or how they helped you when you’ve hit rock bottom or when you realized that you love the traits in them. Tell them what made you say “yes”. This is a way to boost their confidence in the relationship and thank them. Sharing such intimate moments will create memories that will last for a lifetime.
- Do things together. Couples need to spend time together to increase emotional connection, but, how do you do that? You cannot just sit in a room and stare at each other for a day! Plan and do activities that interest you both. For example, if you like traveling, then plan a vacation for just the two of you. Mundane things like cleaning and gardening together can also bring you closer to each other.
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You found the love of your life and spent some fantastic years with them, but lately, your relationship has lost the spark. Also, there have been many silly fights, and you are worried that you are drifting further apart.
A few rough patches do not mean your relationship is doomed. It is quite normal for couples to drift apart. The reasons could be many; it could be your new job or responsibilities, which are demanding way too much of your time.
So, if you genuinely love your partner, it is never too late to revive the magic in your relationship.
How To Reconnect Emotionally With Your Partner?
Here are a few ways to reignite the fire in your relationship.
- Bring back those tea-time conversations. Did your “us” time somehow get skipped? Then, talk to your spouse and bring back those tea-time rendezvous. But be careful not to touch sensitive topics that will flare up an argument. Instead, remind them of how you both met, how you used to go on long drives and ask if they wish to do it again. Such conversations help to break the ice and re-establish the lost comfort.
- Clear the air. If you are unable to spare time for your spouse because of your commitments, then it is your responsibility to explain the situation to your partner. Such an open conversation will save your relationship as your partner knows the reason behind your distant behavior.
- Ask uncomfortable questions. Attempt this only when the initial ice is broken, and both you and your partner are willing to open up. Ask questions like what caused the rift in your relationship? Why were they hurt? And while your partner is speaking do not interrupt; give them your undivided attention.
- Never hesitate to say sorry. If you feel that you have done something that has hurt your partner, then be brave to say sorry, and make them feel that this apology has come from your heart. Make sure that you have identified the issues and also promised each other not to repeat them.
Erin shares past instances of conflicts she had with her husband, Jay. She says, “Jay and I both had a lot of pride when we first got married. His was not wanting to admit he’d done something wrong and mine was always wanting to prove that I’m right. So, yeah, when one of us did something to hurt the other, there wasn’t a lot of apologizing which then led to resentment or more frustration. But the first time Jay ever stopped in the middle of a conflict and said, ‘You know what, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen. Will you forgive me?,’ it just blew me away.
“All of that pride I had in wanting him to know how wrong he was and wanting him to understand that I was hurt by it went away – just like that. I felt heard because he owned up to it and apologized. I felt compassion towards him because he was asking for my forgiveness, even though he was probably still mad at me. And I felt a weird sense of relief that we didn’t have to argue anymore. After that moment, we talked about how relieving it is to apologize… It was seriously a lightbulb moment for us, and ever since, we’ve always tried to figure out if there’s anything we did wrong in the scenario and will immediately apologize for it.”
Image: IStock
- Give them time. Understand that after you have hit a dead-end in your relationship, healing takes time. Give time to rejuvenate the lost love; during this time try everything that will work to re-establish the emotional connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes a man feel emotionally drawn to a woman?
A man may be emotionally drawn to a woman because she is understanding, loyal, takes an interest in his hobbies, listens to him, pays attention to him, and shows that she cares.
2. Can an emotional connection be one-sided?
When two people bond and trust each other, an emotional connection develops. However, there may be fallout in that connection for one person over time, leaving the other in a one-sided emotional connection. It can be physically and mentally exhausting, and such a connection will eventually come to an end.
3. Is it love or emotional attachment?
Love and emotional attachment are two distinct emotions. You may fall in love with someone because of their attractiveness, character, or appearance; however, emotional attachment is when you develop a strong connection with them. You have a mutual sense of safety and openness when you’re together. An emotional connection can be formed between friends and family members as well.
4. When is a man emotionally connected to you?
You can tell he’s emotionally connected to you by his love gestures. He will make genuine efforts to make you feel at ease. He will prioritize you, and you will feel happy, loved, and cherished in his presence. There will also be mutual respect and trust in such relationships.
5. Can a marriage survive in the absence of an emotional connection?
Yes. Marriages without an emotional connection can exist, but they will be unhappy or unhealthy marriages. If a marriage lacks emotional intimacy, it is likely to lack physical intimacy and can easily fall apart.
A strong emotional connection is key to a long-lasting relationship. It gives you the confidence to trust your partner wholeheartedly and the courage to face any adversity together. You may foster an emotional connection by making your partner feel special through small acts of love, engaging in activities together, and emphasizing how blessed you feel to have them in your life. Sharing the darkest secrets, honest apologies, sympathy and valuing each other’s opinions can bring back the charm that your relationship may have lost in the busy world.
Infographic: How To Develop A Bond With Your Partner?
Being emotionally connected with a partner ensures a healthy and fulfilling relationship where the talks are endless, love is immense, respect is supreme, and responsibilities are mutual. So, if you’re looking for ways to build an emotional connection with your partner, check out the infographic below for some useful tips.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Emotional connection goes beyond physical needs and requires effort from both partners.
- Connected couples share secrets, fears, and gain trust, loyalty, leading to better communication and improved well-being.
- Signs of emotional connection are constant communication, unique humor, valuing opinions, and fighting for each other.
- Reasons for lack of connection may include stress, lack of effort, and cheating.
- Building emotional connection needs patience, empathy, shared experiences, vulnerability, and appreciation.
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Learn the secrets to making an emotional connection with a man from this enlightening video. Cultivate trust and a deep bond, nurturing a flourishing partnership with essential insights and strategies.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. 5 marriage lessons I’ve learned over 5 years;https://happilyhowards.com/2016/06/marriage-lessons.html
References
1. Inna Schneiderman, Orna Zagoory-Sharon, James F. Leckman, and Ruth Feldman; Oxytocin during the initial stages of romantic attachment: Relations to couples’ interactive reciprocity; NIB.
2. Jeffrey A. Hall; Humor in Long-Term Romantic Relationships: The Association of General Humor Styles and Relationship-Specific Functions with Relationship Satisfaction; Western Journal of Communication, Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
