Intimacy in a relationship is a sense of closeness and emotional connection with another person. You might feel emotional intimacy with friends as you share your hopes, fears, and struggles with each other. You may experience physical intimacy with a partner when you have sex, cuddle, or kiss. One way to boost intimacy in your relationships is to strengthen your emotional intelligence (EQ). EQ is your ability to understand, manage and use your emotions in healthy, productive ways.