Wellness

What Is Chemistry in a Relationship? 5 Signs of Good Chemistry

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Jul 15, 2022 • 3 min read

Chemistry in a relationship is an intense feeling of connection. Romantic partners can build chemistry over time by practicing open communication and developing trust.

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What Is Chemistry in a Relationship?

Chemistry is the emotional connection between two people. This mutual connection can take different forms and may change throughout a relationship, from the first date to the fiftieth anniversary. Still, the fundamental link between people with good chemistry is deep and recognizable and can provide a sense of excitement, safety, and respect to the relationship. Chemistry might begin with shared interests and values, and couples can preserve chemistry over time through communication and trust.

4 Benefits of Good Chemistry

Most people have had experience with chemistry or with its absence. Good chemistry can have the following effects on a romantic relationship:

  1. 1. Ease: The mutual recognition of each others’ relationship needs and wants can make partnerships less challenging. When things can flow smoothly, both parties tend to be happier.
  2. 2. Excitement: Human beings like to feel excitement, and chemistry is an exhilarating feeling. When two people feel chemistry with each other, neurochemicals like dopamine can flood their nervous systems.
  3. 3. Respect: When people have chemistry, they see each other more deeply than they might otherwise. This understanding can help build up the mutual respect vital to successful relationships.
  4. 4. Safety: Feeling safe around another person is an additional effect of great chemistry. The sense that you are with someone who trusts you and who you can trust without fear of judgment will help grow a healthy relationship.

5 Signs of Good Chemistry

When you feel chemistry with another person, it’s unmistakable and intoxicating. Signs of good chemistry include:

  1. 1. Compatibility: Having interests in common and pursuing them together is also an indication of good chemistry.
  2. 2. Deep comfort: Successful long-term relationships can develop a type of chemistry marked by a deep sense of ease and comfort around the other person. This level of comfort can make one feel at home in the presence of the other, and to many, it is a sign of lasting true love.
  3. 3. Eye contact: One of the telltale signs of romantic chemistry is prolonged eye contact. People in a romantic relationship will often look deeply into each other’s eyes, a primal bonding ritual that develops and maintains deep attachment.
  4. 4. Physical proximity: Romantic partners who are often physically close have good chemistry. Physical touches like hand-holding, hugging, and brushing each other’s hair are indications of good chemistry.
  5. 5. Sexual attraction: Physical attraction to your partner—and their attraction to you—is known as sexual chemistry or physical chemistry. This form of chemistry is typically dominant in the honeymoon phase of a relationship and may fade with time.

How to Build Chemistry in Your Relationship

Building and maintaining chemistry in a long-term relationship takes time and effort. Consider the following ways to develop chemistry:

  1. 1. Be kind to your partner. Taking the extra time and effort to be kind and expressing your admiration will boost chemistry.
  2. 2. Build a foundation of trust. Successful relationships require trust, and building trust can lead to more potent chemistry. The safer you feel in a relationship, the more open you will be to your and your partner’s desires.
  3. 3. Keep things interesting. Mix up your cooking habits, recreational activities, date nights, or sexual practices. Trying new things is a great way to grow as a person, and it can increase the chemistry in your relationship.
  4. 4. Practice open communication. Open lines of communication are essential to a satisfying relationship. Communicating relationship needs can lead to a greater understanding and improve chemistry significantly.
  5. 5. Take and give space. While in the throes of new romantic love, it can feel like nothing is better than spending time with this other person. However, personal growth requires some independence, and too much time together can foster unhealthy habits like codependency, where there is too much mutual reliance between two people. Set boundaries to maintain your and your partner’s personal space.

Let’s Talk About Sex

Craving a little more intimacy? Grab a MasterClass Annual Membership and learn more about open communication with your partners, experimenting in the bedroom, and being your own best sexual advocate with a little help from Emily Morse (host of the wildly popular podcast Sex With Emily).