Page 26 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - January 2020 - 27-01
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Page 26 Senior Times - January 2020
CREATING CONNECTION WITH INTIMACY
By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher
January comes but once a year, and yet
it always comes. Somehow it seems to be a magical month in the world of those wanting to make new and better choices during the next year. And yet, with all the grandeur that comes with January, the magic tends to wear off by February.
and know what works best for you when it comes to your sex life. Older adults often have a great deal more self-confidence and self-awareness, and feel released from the unrealistic ideals of youth and prejudices of others.
Sex can be a powerful emotional expe- rience and a great tool for protecting or improving health, and it's certainly not only for the young.
How can you keep the magic alive all year long? It’s a matter of goals and the ability to address them in small enough boxes to keep achievement and desire both going in the same direction.
Now you might be thinking that I’m talking about all the traditional resolutions that go up on the wall in January but in reality I’m talking about those things that help to keep our connection to others strong... intimacy.
observation or knowledge of a subject. Each one is precious to me and makes my life more full.
Sex over the age of 50 can present chal- lenges, and you may feel discouraged by issues connected with the aging process, but these problems are not insurmountable. With better understanding and an open mind, you can continue to enjoy a physically and emo- tionally fulfilling sex life – it's not a question of age, but of desire.
As we are blessed with additional years, we also learn to welcome new challenges. For some that may be dealing with the loss of friends and loved ones, which in turn can lead to the loss of intimacy or desire, or it might possibly lead to new connections and new experiences.
Finding ways to share special moments
of time with others is worth the effort in the long run but it really does take commitment at times. Schedules can always interfere with time with friends but commitment makes that time happen. I am always renewed
when I have the opportunity to spend special moments with those I cherish. It may only be a half an hour and other times an entire day flies by and it seems like we just got togeth- er. No matter what, it was worth it.
A private cozy atmosphere may be the perfect way to set up for a euphemistic
act with your partner. Even an intimate remark can change the mood in the room. Sometimes the best of efforts can leave the opportunities flat, but that does not mean you should quit trying.
The need for intimacy is ageless.
For a number of reasons, though, many adults worry about sex in their later years, and end up turning away from sexual encounters. Some older adults feel embar- rassed, either by their aging bodies or by their “performance,” while others are affect- ed by illness or loss of a partner. Without accurate information and an open mind, a temporary situation can turn into a perma- nent one. You can avoid letting this happen by being proactive. Whether you’re
Oftentimes intimacy is confused with sexual activity but the reality is that one
may not have anything to do with the other. While intimacy does infer a close familiarity, which can be between spouses, it can also be achieved with friends and other loved ones.
When it comes to intimacy with your partner there are many new things to consid- er as we are blessed with years. Enjoying a healthy sex life can be a part of that journey. And studies confirm that no matter what your gender, you can enjoy sex for as long as you wish. Naturally, sex at 70 or 80 may not be like it is at 20 or 30, but in some ways it can be better. As an older adult, you may feel wiser than you were in your earlier years,
The friendships that I cherish the most are the most intimate because of closeness of understanding, or even similarity of life experiences; others have a closeness of
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