Why Summertime Sex Is Oh-So Hot
The temperature isn't the only thing rising ...
By Esther Craine for Self
1. Your body goes into slow motion
Now that it's a million degrees outside, you naturally start to feel a little lazy. When it comes to sex, that's a good thing. "Your body is trying to conserve energy in the heat," says Rachael Ross, M.D., a clinical sexologist in Gary, Indiana. "So your breathing becomes slower, and your movements are more leisurely." That translates into long, drawn-out foreplay, which brings your arousal to a slow boil. "The extra time has a cumulative effect, intensifying the sensations you feel and resulting in an even stronger climax once you get there," says Yvonne Fulbright, Ph.D., author of Touch Me There!
2. You're in vacay mode
"We've been conditioned since childhood to think of summer as a time when we break from routine," says Amy Muise, Ph.D., a social psychologist at the University of Toronto who studies relationships and sex. But you don't have to bust out tiki torches and a coconut bra to get the benefits. You're already in an anything-goes mind-set—just take advantage. Switch things up: Maybe have sex in a different spot in the house, or have fun with a role-playing scenario. Trying something different releases oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that brings you two closer together, so you'll still get that sexy vacation bonding moment.
3. You're sweating—make that glistening—more
It's miserably hot, yes, even with the AC cranked. But there's an upside. "Perspiration from the genital area contains pheromones, odorless chemicals we sense unconsciously that drive desire," says Alan Hirsch, M.D., founder of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. And the more he sweats, the more intoxicating those pheromones get. Think of it as nature's lust potion ... although a little deodorant in the mix is sexy, too.
4. Your skin is simmering
Right now, everything's better frozen—margaritas, yogurt and, yes, sex. "Touching something cold to your warm skin shocks nerve cells, making skin tingle," Dr. Ross says. Plus, the sudden chill releases adrenaline, which heightens excitement and gives you goose bumps (the good kind). Test it out on your guy with an ice cube, then have him return the favor.
5. Your muscles are bendy
Some sex positions are thrilling in theory but awkward and uncomfy in reality. This month's extra warm weather gives you an advantage. "When temperatures rise, muscles and joints loosen up," Dr. Ross says. Suddenly, trickier positions, like missionary with legs on his shoulders or reverse cowgirl, are easier to pull off. FYI, the heat has the same effect on your BF's body, too. So he won't be so stiff either. At least in that way. Wink, wink.
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