How to Overcome Fear of Physical Intimacy
A fear of physical intimacy can hold you back from experiencing life’s simplest pleasures - holding hands with a loved one as you walk through the park, cuddling on the couch, and of course, sex itself.
Whether caused by past trauma or poor self-esteem, it can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being while bleeding into relationships and preventing you from actually connecting with someone. That’s why we want to show you how to overcome fear of physical intimacy.
Therapy and support groups are a great start, but you’ll eventually need to force yourself to get over the problem with gradual exposure. As impossible as it may seem, relaxation techniques, self-confidence building, and tools for enhancing physical intimacy can all help.
We’ll introduce you to our aphrodisiac chocolate as an excellent solution for lowering your guard and enjoying physical intimacy in a way you never imagined. Take the first step to overcoming physical intimacy fears today!
What is a Fear of Physical Intimacy?
Fear of physical intimacy is an anxiety or discomfort related to close physical contact or sexual activities with a partner, no matter how much you trust them.
It can manifest ways that make it difficult to engage in or enjoy intimate moments. It’s not just about sex. You may also have reservations about simple physical gestures like hugging, holding hands, or cuddling.
Feelings of panic, unease, or overwhelming anxiety are all common symptoms when faced with physical closeness. The disorder leads to avoidance behaviors causing you to shy away from touch or intimate situations altogether.
Fear of physical intimacy can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation. It creates obvious turmoil in relationships, especially if you don’t talk about it with your partner.
It leaves the other half of the relationship feeling as if they’re not enough or they’ve done something wrong. That’s why learning how to get over fear of physical intimacy is so important.
Why Do I Fear Physical Intimacy?
Before we talk about solutions for overcoming fear of physical intimacy, let’s look at some common causes. Why do I fear physical intimacy in the first place?
Past Trauma
Abuse or assault can leave lasting emotional scars, making it difficult to feel safe and secure with a partner going forward.
The memories of past trauma can trigger anxiety and fear when faced with intimate situations, leading to avoidance behaviors and difficulty in forming close physical connections.
Body Image Issues
If you feel insecure or dissatisfied with your appearance, you might avoid intimate situations to prevent feelings of shame or embarrassment.
Body image issues can stem from societal pressures, past comments from others, or personal insecurities, creating a barrier to enjoying physical closeness with a partner.
Fear of Vulnerability
Physical intimacy requires a level of vulnerability that can be intimidating. Letting someone get close physically also means opening up emotionally, which can be scary.
The fear of being judged, hurt, or rejected can make it challenging to engage in intimate acts. This often leads to building emotional walls that make it impossible to form deep connections.
Trust Issues
Trust is a fundamental component of any intimate relationship - so if your partner has wronged you in the past or hasn’t yet earned your trust, it’s not uncommon to feel anxiety about opening up physically with them.
Sometimes, it’s not even your current partner’s fault - betrayal, infidelity, or any form of dishonesty in past relationships can bleed into future relationships.
Mental Health Factors
Those struggling with anxiety, depression, or PTSD may find that these mental health conditions can develop into a fear of intimacy as well.
These conditions often involve heightened stress responses, negative thought patterns, and emotional dysregulation, making it difficult to feel comfortable and safe in intimate situations.
Why Overcoming Fear of Physical Intimacy is Essential
Regardless of the causes fear of physical intimacy, addressing the issue is not something you can put off. The longer you let it fester, the more deep-seated it becomes. In the meantime, the problem can affect your relationships along with your physical and mental health.
Emotional Connection
Hugging, cuddling, and sex itself are all important for building trust and vulnerability, which are the foundations of a strong emotional bond. These moments of closeness allow partners to feel more connected and secure in their relationship, enhancing overall emotional intimacy.
Relationship Satisfaction
When partners feel comfortable being physically close, it leads to increased feelings of love, appreciation, and contentment. This satisfaction is not just about sexual intimacy but also about the everyday gestures of affection that reinforce the bond between partners.
That being said, one partner’s inability to be physically intimate can end up developing into a more serious problem for the other partner. It can lead to infidelity or break ups eventually.
Personal Growth
Life is all about overcoming obstacles. Given how insurmountable a fear of physical intimacy can feel, overcoming it is incredibly empowering.
Confronting the fear requires self-reflection, vulnerability, and a willingness to change. This process can lead to greater self-awareness and self-acceptance. You’ll develop a better understanding and appreciation of your own needs and boundaries along the way.
Physical Health
Acts of physical closeness release oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone,” which reduces stress and promotes feelings of happiness and relaxation.
Regular physical intimacy can also improve cardiovascular health, boost the immune system, and reduce pain through the release of endorphins.
So, let’s get into how to overcome fear of physical intimacy so you can live life as it was intended - experiencing the comforting touch of a loved one.
How to Overcome Fear of Physical Intimacy
From gaining professional guidance to communicating with your partner and slowly exposing yourself to physical touch, there are so many ways to work towards overcoming fear of physical intimacy.
Seek Professional Help Through Therapy or Support Groups
The first step towards overcoming fear of physical intimacy involves digging up the root cause. This is something a therapist can help you with, as they’ll ask the right questions that take you on a journey of personal discovery.
You could also look into cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you identify and change negative thought patterns related to intimacy.
Support groups are also a great choice as they offer a safe space to share experiences and learn from others who face similar challenges. If nothing else, knowing you’re not the only one struggling with the problem can be comforting.
Communicate with Your Partner
Having a conversation with your partner about your fear of intimacy is essential if you haven’t already. At the very least you’ll be able to provide them with context for why you never want to be touched or why you can’t have sex with them.
From there, you can discuss your feelings honestly and explain the reasons behind your anxiety. This conversation can help your partner understand your perspective and provide the support you need.
Set clear boundaries and discuss ways to create a safe and comfortable environment for both of you. Tell them that you want to get better, and will need their help, support, and patience along the way.
Gradual Exposure
The best piece of advice we have on how to overcome fear of physical intimacy is to take your time and slowly but surely expose yourself to more and more physical touch.
Start with small, non-threatening forms of touch, such as holding hands or light hugs. As you become more comfortable, slowly increase the level of physical closeness. This helps you build tolerance and reduce anxiety over time.
Patience and consistency are key. Rushing the process can lead to setbacks, so don’t feel like you need to dive into sex straight away. Rather, dip your toes in the water of physical touch and slowly immerse yourself.
Build Self-Confidence
Given the role that lack of self-confidence can play in intimacy problems, working on loving yourself is another essential tactic. This is something anyone can benefit from even if they don’t have fear of physical intimacy.
Engage in activities that boost your self-esteem and make you feel good about yourself. This could include exercising, pursuing hobbies, or practicing self-care routines. Positive self-talk and affirmations can also help reshape your self-image.
Again, this is something a professional can assist you with as well. If you find that the basic advice above isn’t making a difference in the way you feel about yourself, get help.
Use Relaxation Techniques
The anxiety leading up to more intense physical intimacy, like cuddling on the couch for a movie or even having sex, can be overwhelming. You need to use relaxation techniques to put yourself into a calm state, where you’ll be more receptive to physical touch.
Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness can calm your mind and reduce stress. Take a few moments to relax and center yourself before engaging in intimate activities. When it comes to reducing anxiety associated with sex, trying Tabs chocolate is a great choice.
Explore Physical Intimacy Tools
When the time comes to explore physical intimacy in the form of sex, you can help lower your guard and make the experience more emotionally and physically enjoyable with the best sex chocolate, Tabs.
So, what is aphrodisiac chocolate? It’s a powerful blend of dark chocolate with known aphrodisiacs, ranging from kanna to maca root and epimedium.
The ingredients in sex chocolate all work together to boost mood, reduce stress, and enhance arousal, making it easier to enjoy intimate moments with your partner. It’s a really fun way to set the mood and ensure a night of pleasure for both parties.
Simply break a square in half and share the other half with your partner. Within 20-30 minutes you may start to feel your walls come down and your physical touch senses heightened. Enjoy the ride!
Now, does sex chocolate really work? With more than 200,000 satisfied customers and a 30-day money-back guarantee, you don’t have to just take our word for it. You can try it out risk-free.
Take your time, but when the moment’s right, but the fear of physical intimacy in the past for good with Tabs. We’re confident you’ll be back for more.
What if it’s My Partner Struggling With Fear of Physical Intimacy?
If you’re here reading our guide on how to overcome fear of physical intimacy in an effort to help your partner, we want to caution you against pushing too hard. The last thing you want is to make matters worse, after all.
Approach the situation with empathy and patience. Encourage open communication and actively listen without judgment. Respect their boundaries and avoid pushing them into uncomfortable situations.
You may even encourage them to seek professional help through therapy. Better yet, join them to make the idea less frightening and overwhelming.
Showing them you believe in their ability to overcome the issue and that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to help them do it can be the catalyst to encourage them to take the first step!
Wrapping Up Our Guide on How to Get Over Fear of Physical Intimacy
Overcoming fear of physical intimacy is a journey that involves understanding the root causes, seeking professional help, and building self-confidence. As difficult as it may seem, it’s not impossible, and you’ll be able to engage in physical intimacy before you know it.
If we could leave you with one final takeaway from this guide on how to overcome fear of physical intimacy, it’s this: don’t rush the process.
Take your time and gradually work your way towards more intense forms of physical touch at your own pace. When you’re ready, Tabs awaits.
Find additional resources to make the most of our formulation, including sex chocolate side effects, how long does sex chocolate last, and how long does sex chocolate take to work in our blog. We’re here to help you enjoy physical intimacy to the fullest, and subsequently, emotional intimacy.
So, what are you waiting for? Give yourself the necessary support to let your walls down and experience physical intimacy the way it was meant to be enjoyed with Tabs.
