Here are some ways to deepen and build more intimacy in your relationships, as summarized from Alan Loy McGinnis’s book The Friendship Factor:

5 Ways to Deepen Your Relationships

1. Assign top priority to your relationships
2. Cultivate more openness
3. Dare to talk about your affection. Express yourself.
4. Learn the gestures of love (ex. gentle touch, hug)
5. Create space in your relationships. Take short breaks from each other.

6 Suggestions for Creating More Space in Your Relationships

1. Be cautious with criticism. Think twice before criticizing someone
2. Use the language of acceptance. Don’t be judgmental of others
3. Encourage your friends to be unique, and give your support
4. Allow for solitude. Everyone needs time alone to recharge
5. Encourage other relationships
6. Be ready for shifts in your relationships and cope accordingly. This could happen when life circumstances change (ex. your friend gets married or has kids and you have less time together, or your friend moves to another country)

5 Guidelines for Building Intimacy

1. Use your body to demonstrate warmth
2. Be generous with sincere praise
3. Schedule leisurely time for conversation. Set a date with your friend to chat and catch up on each others’ lives.
4. Learn to listen… really listen.
5. Talk freely about your feelings