
Love Worth Making
Stephen Snyder, M.D.
What's inside?
Explore the secrets to maintaining passion and intimacy in long-term relationships, with practical advice from a renowned sex therapist.
You'll learn
Key points
01Love and sex are two peas in a pod
In "Love Worth Making," Dr. Stephen Snyder makes a compelling case that sex and love are more intertwined than we often think. To really get this, we need to dive into the nuts and bolts of sexual arousal and the part emotional connection plays in it. Let's think about sexual excitement. It's not just a physical thing. It's a mix of physical touch and mental activity. Imagine it like a recipe with two main ingredients: "friction" and "fantasy." Friction is the physical part of sex, the touch and feel that gets our bodies going. But if you think back to your most unforgettable sexual moments, it's probably not the quality of friction that you remember most. That brings us to the second ingredient, fantasy. During sex, our minds often drift into the world of fantasy, pulling from our stockpile of memories, dreams, and desires to make the experience even better. But, sexual fantasy alone isn't enough to create a truly satisfying sexual experience. This is where the link between sex and love comes in. There's a hidden layer in sexual experiences, a space that sits between the physical and the fantastical. This is where sex becomes a way of deeply connecting with another person, and with our own inner selves. It's a part of sex that we don't often talk about, but it's key to the experience. This layer of sex can't be bought or sold. It's not something you can put a price tag on. Instead, it's a gift, a deep emotional experience that goes beyond just desire or lust. The emotion that comes with this deep connection is one of gratitude and awe. It's a warm, fulfilling feeling that makes the sexual experience truly special. To nurture this connection, it's important to understand what conditions allow it to grow. This means exploring your sexual desires and learning how to use them to enhance your connection with your partner. By doing this, you can seriously up your sex game. In a nutshell, the book suggests that sex isn't just a physical act or a mental fantasy. It's a deeply emotional experience that can strengthen the bond between partners, making it an expression of love. This understanding can change the way you approach sex, making it a more fulfilling and meaningful part of your relationship.
02Our sexual desires are as innocent as a child's
Let's dive into a fascinating idea about our sexual selves - they're child-like, honest, and never age. Now, don't get the wrong idea. We're not talking about immaturity or naivety. Instead, we're exploring the raw, unfiltered, and instinctual nature of our sexual desires. Think about how a kid behaves. They cry when they're hungry, laugh when they're happy, and reach out for a hug when they're scared. These reactions are pure and instinctual, not influenced by what society thinks or expects. Our sexual desires are pretty much the same - they're driven by our natural urges, not by what society tells us is right or wrong. Now, let's talk about the idea that our sexual selves "never grow up". This doesn't mean our sexual desires are stuck in time or immature. It means that our sexual selves aren't tied down by age or time. Just like a kid's curiosity and sense of wonder stay the same as they grow, our sexual desires are a constant part of who we are, no matter how old we get or what stage of life we're in. Take someone in their 60s, for example. They might still have the same sexual desires and needs as they did when they were in their 20s. That's because our sexual selves aren't defined by how old we are physically, but by what we need emotionally and psychologically. To understand why sex is such an emotional experience, think about the bond between a mother and a child. It's one of the first and deepest experiences of love and intimacy we have. It's all about trust, comfort, and caring for each other. And guess what? Great sex is all about those same feelings of trust, comfort, and mutual care. So, what's the takeaway here? Seeing our sexual selves as child-like, honest, and ageless can help us better understand and navigate our sexual desires and needs. It can help us approach sex with openness, honesty, and curiosity, just like a kid exploring the world. And that can lead to more satisfying and fulfilling sexual experiences in our relationships.

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03We all crave love, it's in our DNA
04If sex is hard, you're doing it wrong
05Men and women need the right conditions for sex
06Love has three phases
07Monogamy doesn't kill sex
08Conclusion
About Stephen Snyder, M.D.
Stephen Snyder, M.D., is a renowned sex and relationship therapist based in New York City. With over 30 years of experience, he specializes in helping couples improve their sexual relationships. He is also an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine.