10 Emotional Intimacy Activities for Couples Who Want to Reconnect and Feel Close Again

When life gets busy, it’s easy to focus on what’s wrong instead of what’s right. Keeping a shared gratitude journal helps shift that perspective.

Each night, write down three things you appreciate about your partner. It could be as simple as making coffee, giving you a hug, or making you laugh. Over time, this habit rewires your brain to see the good in your relationship and helps you feel close to your partner again.

Coach tip: Read your journal entries out loud once a week—it doubles the positive impact.

Sometimes, no words are needed. Sit across from each other, hold hands, and make eye contact for 2–5 minutes. This may feel awkward at first, but it builds emotional intimacy and lowers stress.

Psychologists call this “soul gazing,” and couples often report feeling a surge of closeness afterward. It’s one of the simplest fun intimacy exercises for couples who feel distant—and it costs nothing.

If conflict has been a barrier to closeness, see: The Secret to Healthy Arguments in Relationships.

Think back to when you first met. What drew you together? What made you fall in love? Retelling your love story not only sparks nostalgia but also reminds you of your foundation.

Try pulling out old photos, re-reading love notes, or recreating your first date. These small rituals remind you why you chose each other in the first place and help reignite your emotional connection.

Couples often drift apart when they stop doing fun things together. Pick up a shared hobby—whether it’s painting, cooking new recipes, or learning to dance.

Creating together fosters teamwork, laughter, and problem-solving. Research shows couples who engage in novel activities release more “bonding hormones” like oxytocin, making this one of the best emotional intimacy activities for couples.

Stress is one of the biggest barriers to intimacy. Practicing mindfulness together can shift your energy as a couple.

Try a short guided meditation or simple breathwork exercise side by side. Focus on your breathing, then sync your inhale and exhale. This practice helps you regulate emotions, reduce tension, and deepen connection without saying a word.

Suggested tool: Use apps like Headspace or Insight Timer for guided sessions.

It can feel like it’s all about sharing chores—lasting love is all about sharing dreams. Once a week, set aside time to talk about your hopes for the future.

Ask each other questions like: What’s one adventure you’d love to take? Where do you see us in five years? These conversations build vision and unity, reminding you that you’re on the same team.

This is especially helpful if you’re looking for how to reconnect emotionally with your spouse after feeling stuck in routine.

Kindness is the fuel of emotional closeness. Create a fun challenge where each of you commits to one unexpected act of kindness daily.

It could be leaving a love note, making breakfast, or sending a supportive text. Over time, these small actions add up, reinforcing your bond and making your partner feel loved.

Coach Tip: You can also challenge each other to spread loves through random acts of kindness outside of the home and use your daily check-in time to share your experiences. Not only will your actions raise your happiness index as individuals, but coming together in a positive light will increase your intimacy in the moment.

Phones and screens are intimacy killers. Schedule at least one evening a week where you turn off devices and focus only on each other. It would be best to make this a daily practice.

Ideas: Cook dinner together, play a board game, or take a walk. Without distractions, you’ll find yourselves reconnecting more easily and naturally.