COVID-19 has brought with it the need to adapt and learn new ways of doing things. With social distancing measures in place, a lot of medical professionals have had to part ways with their partners. While the situation is temporary, it is not possible to estimate an accurate date for moving back in, and even still, living apart, especially with such little notice and time for planning, may have brought with it various challenges. This does not mean that we cannot find ways to stay physically connected, afterall we can take some notes from those in long-distance relationships, and even find ways to turn this trying time into an exciting situation to spice up your relationship.

Below are 4 ways that you can stay physically connected to your partner:

  1. Sexting: Sending your partner sexy messages and enjoying an erotic conversation together can be something that keeps your intimate time together present. This is the moment to get out of your dirty talk comfort zone. You can plan a time for sexting, or even message your partner at a random time, to keep things spontaneous and exciting.
  2. Phone-Sex: If you want to kick it up a notch, you can take your sexy conversations to phone-call. To make things even more spicy, you can incorporate role play, instruct your partner on what to do, or enjoy your partner describing their fantasies in detail.
  3. Cam-Sex: Another alternative is to have your sexcapades via online video-platforms. Pick a platform that is safe, and you can enjoy some time together online, masturbating mutually or enjoy taking turns watching each other. This is also a great time to bring out that lingerie or costume that you had hiding at the back of your drawer. Seeing each other can also make it feel more real.
  4. Sending Gifts: Another way to keep things exciting during these trying times is to get creative and send gifts by post. Why not make the effort to choose a sex toy for your partner, write a note, and mail it to them. This will not only surprise your partner and excite them with the thought and effort that you put into it, but it also adds an extra element to your sexting or online sex. You can also visit an online sex toy website and pick out some toys for each other, then you can order them and send them one by one to your partner, always leaving them guessing to what they will find next.

If this is not something that you have tried before, you may feel that this is not something that you or your partner are confident enough to do. Discuss it; use this as an opportunity to get to know your partner on a more intimate level by bringing up the conversation. Discuss what you are comfortable with, and remember to protect your privacy and safety online. There is no better time than now to get creative with your intimate contact with your partner. Think about how exciting it will be to meet your partner again, and how much closer you would have become by experiencing this and getting through it together.

Matthew Bartolo is a warranted counsellor, sex & relationship psychotherapist and sex educator.  He travels to give professional training in sexology and multi-disciplinary work.  He is founder of Willingness Team and Sex Clinic Malta.