Two thirds of Brits feel that they’re being starved of affection in a study by Durex Embrace. People aged 25-54 feel like their work-life balance is off which is denying them of receiving and giving affection.
Relationships on Female First
Six out of ten couples would like to think that they could have some more ‘us time’, kissing and cuddling, which on average only happens once or twice a day for most couples. With many only having sex four times a month.
It was found that couples can sometimes go for days without so much as touching their partner. 20% never kiss their partner and 7% have forgotten how to cuddle one another.
Susan Quilliam, relationship psychologist for Durex Embrance, which commissioned the study, said:
”We live such busy, tiring lives that we end up putting intimacy right to the bottom of the agenda.
”But it’s a serious mistake. A shocking two-thirds of us lack physical touch and emotional connection – and if that need isn’t met, our relationships suffer.
”We all know, deep down, that we need more touch; we need to talk about our feelings and the things that are important to us.
”But instead we keep our distance, physically and emotionally. We need to reverse that trend and start connecting on every level; otherwise relationships nationwide will continue to fade and fail.”
The sad fact is that most couples rely on social media to keep in touch with their partners over Facebook, text or email rather than having a good old fashioned sit down and talk.
22% say that when they are home watching TV they will not cuddle one another but sit at opposite ends of the couch.
Rather than touching their beloved they would much rather put something on Facebook about them or tweet about them as an alternative.
55% said that their reason for not showing their significant other any affection is because of work. They are simply too tried to do anything other than have their evening meal and watch TV after a hard day’s slog.
47% felt that their partner had lost interest in their day and will not ask them about what has happened over the last few hours. This can lead to the person not wanting to be affectionate with someone who doesn’t seem to care about their life outside of the home.
As a consequence 32% felt that their relationship is stuck in a rut and has become stagnant.
Most people rate kissing and cuddly a constant reminder that they are happy and without that they feel that they are undervalued.
Of those couples that do talk to one another they discuss practical things such as the housework rather than how they still feel about one another. Talking about their friends and family seem to be more important than talking about their relationship.
Ironically 83% admit that talking is the best way to keep a relationship going, however most refrain from doing it.
Susan Quilliam added:
”These findings show clearly that we need to connect more deeply with our partners on a daily basis.
”The emotional intimacy that comes from talking together, sharing emotions, and having great sex is what really connects you.”
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