There’s no cap on the level of PDA my boyfriend and I express out in the open. We never get tired of one-upping each other on pet names and sometimes we can’t control the urge to say “I love you” spontaneously. To some this can seem over the top but it’s actually a sign of lasting love. If your relationship like ours, here’s why it’ll probably go the distance.
- It encourages intimacy. I’ll just say it: healthy relationships mean having good sex, and probably often. The closer two people feel, the easier it is to let that physical side take over. When couples aren’t afraid to be swoony with each other outside of the bedroom, it can really up the ante once they’re back inside it. In addition to showing affection in public, if you’re comfortable enough with your partner to pick a zit off their face or call them out and laugh if they fart in front of you, that’s a pretty special kind of closeness that’s rare to find.
- It keeps the conversation flowing. Just the fact of being so caught up with another person automatically translates to wanting to talk to them. Aside from all the kissing and hugging, it will encourage people to ask questions and get to know more about the person on a deeper level. I love being in continuous contact with my partner. Yes, I agree there has to be time management and sometimes breaks from each other are essential, but if both are feeling the closeness, why not keep that going?
- Being comfortable makes relationships healthier. The more affection that’s shown, the easier it is to be comfortable with someone. I’m a firm believer that this helps all of my relationships last. I want to be able to be myself completely and not feel judged. A relationship should feel safe in order to continue growing. You shouldn’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing or your partner not liking something about you. Being able to see you, disgusting habits and all, can be a good indicator if things will last long-term.
- It builds trust. How great does it feel if you’re out doing something routine with your guy like running errands and he continuously holds your hand or stops to give you a random kiss? It feels so good and can be a huge confidence builder, especially if it’s genuinely out of nowhere. That reassurance can bring security and trust right along with it. Being on the same page as your partner is so important and actions do speak louder than words.
- You’re genuinely excited to be with him. Who doesn’t want to be around someone who excites them? Once the honeymoon period is over, if you’re still craving time with your partner, that speaks volumes. You no longer feel you have to about them or shower them with attention when in public, but instead you want to. Knowing their awkward bathroom habits and not minding can be a really good thing. It’s something special between the two of you and not many people get to see each other in that light, you can’t help but want to continue learning about this person. Everyone deserves to be in a relationship where not only the affection is on-going but the learning experiences are too.
- There’s less room for doubt how he feels. It’s one thing behind closed doors but when the intimacy is shown in public, the doubts tend to melt away so much faster. Most people need reassurance sometimes for a number of different reasons but often seem afraid to speak up about it because it can come off as needy. With someone you’re comfortable with, this should be something that can be discussed openly and with kindness. One thing being overly affectionate and sharing all my gross habits with my guy has taught me is that it gives me that reassurance I need without having to ask for it.
- It’ll help your mood improve outside of the relationship. If two people are happy in their relationship, that tends to trickle out into other aspects of their lives as well. Maybe you’ll find yourself more patient at work or with family and friends. You might generally see the world from a more positive perspective. I hate to put so much emphasis on the idea that relationships dictate happiness, but the reality is that a lot of the times, they do. If I have all of the things I need to make myself feel whole (security, trust, affection), my outward life benefits as well.
- If you’re not sick of him, that says something. Truth be told, people get bored easily. It takes a lot to hold attention for some people, myself included, but when someone has it, they have ALL of it. Go with your gut and pay attention. If you’re not losing interest, that’s a big deal and that person should be kept around for as long as possible. When I do this I find I’ve rarely been wrong. You may notice you’ll actually want to go out of your way to be affectionate or let your partner see the gross side of you because you’re no longer worried about embarrassment. That trust and communication is there and it takes so much of the pressure off.
