The ability to feel wanted is often considered an important factor in creating and maintaining healthy romantic relationships. It is especially true when it comes to physical attraction, which plays a major role in the dynamics between partners during foreplay and intercourse. When someone feels like their partner finds them physically attractive, they are more likely to be open to exploring new things in bed, try out different positions, and engage in activities that may have been previously off-limits due to insecurities. This can lead to a more satisfying experience for both parties involved. In fact, research suggests that individuals who believe their partner finds them desirable tend to have more frequent and enjoyable sexual experiences than those who do not. They also report higher levels of satisfaction with their relationship overall. However, feeling desired does not always mean having your every whim catered to. Rather, it means being appreciated as you are without any reservations about what you look like or how you act. Feeling desired requires vulnerability from both partners because it involves revealing yourself emotionally and physically while trusting that your partner will accept you without judgment. It also takes time and effort to build up enough intimacy so that each person feels comfortable doing this. The key is learning how to communicate effectively about these needs and finding ways to meet them within the context of your own relationship dynamic. For example, couples might experiment with new forms of touch or explore fantasies together, either through words or actions. Ultimately, feeling desired leads to greater happiness within a relationship, improving not only sex but all aspects of life together.
What are some ways to increase feelings of desiredness in a romantic relationship? Can feeling desired lead to better mental health outcomes such as increased self-esteem? How do gender roles play into desiredness and what effect does that have on relationships? What other factors contribute to feeling desired beyond physical appearance?