FYI: Sex And Intimacy AREN'T The Same Thing — Here Are 2 Reasons Why

It's CRUCIAL to know the difference.
We've all been there before: You meet a really great person — you love their personality, find it easy to open up to them and even feel butterflies when you're with them. You know you're meant to be together.

Eventually (or maybe even quicker than that) you let your passionate, romantic feelings get in the way of clear thinking, and you have sex.

You have an unforgettable night. But the next day, you're left with feelings of attachment, overwhelming remorse and disappointment. The reality is, this amazing person doesn't feel the same way about you.

Here are two eye-opening ways to understand the difference and avoid another unwanted one-night stand:

1. Understand Your Emotions (And Make Them Known)

Look at this relationship retrospectively and your attached emotions — is this just physical attraction or true, intimate feelings? Once you know what your feelings are, make them known to your lover.

"The most important things are that you have your goals clearly in mind, you know what you want and don't want and that you're true to yourself," Carole H. Spivack notes. With these in mind, you'll leave no room for assumptions and soften the blow of disappointment BEFORE you make a regretful decision.

2. Set A List Of Sex Standards

If you're sure you want to start a serious relationship with your lover, he or she MUST meet these standards before sex. This will save you a lot of time and and heartache once all your emotions are expressed and out in the open.

Bobbie Palmer says that standards are important in order for you to "take personal responsibility ... [and] care of yourself " before you get hurt.

She suggests the following set of standards that will pin-point exactly what you expect from this person prior to sex: "[You] have to be able to talk about safe sex. You have to be able to talk about the relationship — what's going to happen tomorrow morning, right? And you have to talk about what's comfortable for you and what you need in order to feel good about it. And if you can't have those three conversations, don't jump into bed with him because you will be attached like you said. That oxytocin is going to grab on, and you're going to be in love with that guy."

The Expert panel above suggest some more helpful insight to prevent you from confusing sex and intimacy. Scroll up to the video above for more intimacy advice!