What is Nonsexual Affection?
Nonsexual affection refers to physical contact that is not related to sexual activity but that can still be considered intimate or romantic. It includes hugging, holding hands, cuddling, kissing, touching, and other forms of body contact that are not explicitly sexual. This kind of affection can take place between close friends, family members, romantic partners, platonic friends, and even strangers.
The Importance of Nonsexual Affection
Nonsexual affection plays an important role in human relationships because it helps people feel connected and supported. Physical touch releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with feelings of bonding and attachment, which can help people feel more secure and comfortable with each other.
Nonsexual affection can provide comfort during difficult times, such as when someone is feeling sad, anxious, or lonely. It also promotes communication, trust, and understanding between partners, all of which are necessary for maintaining a healthy relationship.
Buffering Against Declines in Passion
Research has found that nonsexual affection can buffer against declines in passion in long-term relationships. When couples engage in regular nonsexual affection, they tend to report higher levels of satisfaction and commitment than those who do not. One study found that couples who engaged in more nonsexual touch had lower rates of breakups than those who did not. Another study found that couples who engaged in more nonsexual affection were less likely to report dissatisfaction with their relationships over time.
One reason why nonsexual affection may play this role is that it helps couples stay connected emotionally and physically despite the challenges of everyday life. When people are busy, stressed, or dealing with problems, it can be easy to forget about intimacy and romance.
Nonsexual affection provides a way for couples to remain close without relying solely on sexual activity. It creates opportunities for emotional connection, which can be especially important in times of stress or conflict.
Nonsexual Affection vs. Sexual Activity
While nonsexual affection and sexual activity share some similarities, they serve different purposes. Nonsexual affection focuses on bonding and emotional connection, while sexual activity focuses on pleasure and release. This means that people can feel closer to each other through nonsexual affection even when there is no sexual desire present. In contrast, sexual activity requires both partners to be interested in and aroused by one another.
Research also suggests that nonsexual affection can enhance sexual desire in long-term relationships. A study found that couples who engaged in nonsexual affection reported greater sexual desire after being apart from one another than those who did not engage in any physical contact. Another study found that men who received supportive touch from their partner during a stressful task were more likely to initiate sex later. Thus, nonsexual affection can create a positive feedback loop whereby couples feel more connected and desired, leading to increased levels of passion and intimacy.
Nonsexual affection plays an important role in buffering against declines in passion in long-term relationships. By providing comfort, security, and emotional closeness, it helps couples stay connected even when life gets busy or difficult. While it is not a replacement for sexual activity, it can help maintain the emotional bond between partners and increase overall satisfaction with the relationship.
What role does nonsexual affection play in buffering against declines in passion?
Researchers have been interested in studying how nonsexual touch (such as hugging) affects romantic relationships for decades. One of their main findings is that such intimate physical contact is associated with maintaining passion over time by strengthening the couple's bond and enhancing feelings of trust and security. Nonsexual affection can also serve as an alternative source of closeness when sexual desire wanes due to age, stress, illness, or other factors.