What Is The Physical Touch Love Language?

Last Updated 19.04.2022
12 min read
Taimi

The different types of love languages can say a lot about how a person shows and wants to receive affection from the people they care about. Some people love to spend time with the ones they love, others enjoy receiving gifts and some just want to hear some words of encouragement when they're having a tough day.

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The physical touch love language is one of the five love language ways which can help you understand how to show love to your partner. While it is fun to know all the ways people are able to express love, here are some facts about this love language and the ways you can use it to show love to your partner.

How is Physical Touch Expressed as a Love Language?

If your partner's love language is physical touch, that means that they love to put effort into their physical connection with you. They love physical displays of love and affection and probably pay attention to your body language when you are around them.

Something that is important to know is that physical touch doesn't necessarily have to revolve around sexual intimacy. While this might also play an important role in relationships and in people whose primary love language is physical touch, it doesn't mean that they expect you to initiate sex more often than usual.

If you're wondering how you can show your love to your partner whose love language is physical touch, here are some ideas on how you can spend some quality time with your partner and make them feel loved.

Know and Respect Each Others' Love Languages

Something that is very important for every relationship is to make sure that you know just as much about your partner as they do about you. When it comes to figuring things out about each other's' love languages, you should both know what makes each other feel special.

It is not rare that while one partner is very fond of physical affection, the other's love language is not related to that at all. And that is totally okay. One of you might like receiving attention in the form of some skin-to-skin contact or a kiss and the other finds it easier to express their love through different actions.

Individuals in relationships learn to spot these things and use them to their advantage so both parties can stay happy. Actually, there are five love languages in total, a concept created by Gary Chapman, which can show exactly how one person might want to receive love from their partner. These include the following:

  • Words of Affirmation

People whose love language is Words of Affirmation probably want to hear you tell them how much they mean to you more frequently than most people. They like to feel reassured about your feelings towards them.

When they are feeling blue, there is nothing that would make them feel better than some kind, motivating words from someone they care about.

  • Acts of Service

People whose love language is Acts of Service would feel so happy if you brought them breakfast in bed every once in a while. If their partner takes their time to tidy up the house or do something they keep forgetting to get done, they will feel so loved.

  • Receiving Gifts

While a lot of people love receiving gifts, people with this love language associate the effort you put into the presents you get for them with how much you care about them.

These surprises don't have to be expensive, they just need to come from the heart. This will mean the world to such an individual and they will truly feel your love for them.

  • Quality Time

If you feel content with spending time next to your partner, talking to them, and doing things together, even if that is nothing important, your love language means that you enjoy spending Quality Time with them.

You might not speak of your feelings often but there is nothing that can make you happier than spending time being around the one you love and giving them all your attention. You might come to find that you like holding eye contact and find intimacy through talking to them about your day. This is the way you communicate your love.

  • Physical Touch

A great way to start figuring out your own love language is to take a simple online test that can help you figure it out. This will save you a lot of time and pondering, trying to see which is your primary love language through past events.

You and your partner might not have the same love language and that is totally okay. It is up to you to learn each other's language and understand what can make each of you happy. This will bring you closer together, make your bond stronger and help you receive love in a way that makes you both happy and content.

Many married couples pay attention to these details as they can make their relationship last a lot longer. Knowing what will comfort your partner when they are upset and how you can make them happy on a daily basis is something that can play a very important role in your relationship's longevity.

Cuddling While Watching a Movie

One of the simplest ways to show physical affection to someone is to cuddle them while you watch something you both enjoy. Having a lazy night in and doing nothing but laying on the couch after a stressful day will be the best remedy.

Being in each others' arms can also help release certain hormones such as oxytocin, which is a bonding hormone that plays a big role in making a couple develop stronger feelings for one another, ease stress, and make you feel relaxed.

If your partner feels upset or has gone through anything that day that made them feel unsafe, a cuddle can definitely make them feel better. Physical touch that is not sexual is an important aspect of every relationship and knowing what their language means can help you come closer and enjoy these intimate moments all that more.

Having a Slow Dance in the Middle of Your Living Room

Another form of physical touch that can be different from other forms of physical touch but still very heartwarming can be slow dancing. Getting to hold each other in a hug and sway to a song you both love is not only romantic but also very relaxing.

This way you can show your partner they have your undivided attention. You can do little things like this frequently in order to build a romantic relationship where both parties feel loved.

Kissing Them Often

Kissing is one of the ways you can physically show your love to your partner which is intimate and sweet. A kiss is also one of the public displays of affection that you can use when you are outside and you want to remind them that you love them. The most important point is that a kiss doesn't only have to be on the lips. You can kiss their forehand, head, or hand in order to show them you care.

This doesn't have to lead to sex and there is a great level of intimacy to kissing someone to give them reassurance or express your love for them. A kiss can mean many things and to those, that physical touch means a lot, they are bound to love it when you kiss them more frequently.

Sitting Close to One Another

Another way to show affection in romantic relationships where one partner's love language is physical touch is through sitting close to one another. This can be a great option for situations where you are both busy and not able to hug or hold hands but still want to feel close to one another.

It can also be a very comforting point when you are in public and your other half feels overwhelmed or wants to know you are close so they feel loved and safe. Simply touching one another can help you stay connected and make any nervous tears disappear, especially in social situations where you are not able to hold them.

Holding Hands Whenever Possible

Holding hands is another great way to receive love from your partner without having to touch their whole body. It is an intimate touch that shows them you understand their love language and want to engage in physical touch in any situation.

This skin-to-skin contact might be minimal but it can also be great when you are walking outside and want to keep maintaining physical contact. Holding hands is romantic and shows your partner you are happy to be seen near and with them at all times.

Giving Them a Calming Massage

Last but not least, a massage or even a back scratch can be a great way of showing your partner you understand their need for physical touch. They might not speak about their need for a back rub, but it is a great way for you to help them relieve some tension and give you both an extra moment of relaxation.

A back rub, while you talk about your day, can be a great treat after a long day. This is also a great option for when your partner is having a rough time and they need some reassurance. By rubbing their back you easily express and communicate that you are there for them without words.

“If we are to develop an intimate relationship, we need to know each other’s desires. If we wish to love each other, we need to know what the other person wants.” - Gary Chapman

How Long Distance Relationships Can Imitate the Physical Touch

Being in a long-distance relationship usually comes with a lack of physical touch. This can be very hard on the partners as being away from the one you love can make you miss them even more. While it might not be possible for you to hold one another at this very moment, there is always something you can do in order to make the distance a little more bearable.

First of all, you can send each other a piece of clothing that you have worn or sprayed with your perfume. This is one of the closest things you can have to actual physical touch as it will remind you of hugging them.

Along with that, you can even send them a teddy bear that will be dressed in your shirt. Not only will it have your smell, but they will also actually be able to physically hug it so it will make it a lot better.

Lastly, when you are on video calls or texting one another, talk to them about how you miss holding them or how much you want to touch them. This doesn't have to be mentioned in a sexual way. Knowing that the person you love wants to hug and touch you can make the wait a lot more bearable.

Finding What Your Partner Enjoys When it Comes to Their Physical Touch Love Language

Each person whose love language is physical touch will have different things they enjoy doing with the people they love. Physical touch comes in many different forms and some people prefer to be more intimate than others.

Pay attention to how your partner reacts to different things and see which actions make them feel the happiest and safest. This can really help improve your relationship, build trust between you and make you a lot happier as a couple.


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