Emotional Need #3: Physical affection outside the bedroom
As we told women last time, we know many men view physical intimacy in the bedroom as a deep emotional need. And certainly that is true of many women as well! But the research reveals a need that many men don’t realize about their wives: there is something profoundly and emotionally important about simple physical affection outside the bedroom.
Earlier today, I was looking at data from our nationally representative survey for The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages and noticed several great examples. In the survey, we listed simple actions that a husband might do and asked how much impact that would have on the wife. Look at what the women answered for just two of the actions:
Reaching out and taking my hand – for example, when we are walking through a parking lot, or sitting together at the movies.
Why do these gestures matter so much? For most women, there is one main reason why – and we’ll cover it in next week’s post. (Make sure not to miss it. Click here to subscribe if you don’t already.)
The practical suggestion for this one is clear:
- Ask your wife if little physical gestures like taking her hand or putting your arm around her in public matters to her – and, if so, act accordingly!
In fact, ask your wife about each of the three needs we mentioned today. Do they apply to her? And if so, how? The conversation alone will make her feel loved. Then come back next time for the final three emotional needs on our list!
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