3 Must-Try Sex Therapy Exercises for Couples
As a sex therapist in Oklahoma City, I often recommend exercises couples can practice at home to enhance intimacy and communication. Here are three pleasurable, connecting, and effective techniques that you can explore together:
1. Bonding Behaviors
Bonding behaviors are small, affectionate acts that can significantly strengthen your emotional and physical connection. These behaviors trigger the release of oxytocin, often called the "cuddle hormone," which promotes feelings of trust, attachment, and intimacy. By regularly engaging in these simple yet powerful exercises, couples can build a stronger foundation for their relationship and sexual connection.
Try these exercises:
Comforting Touch: Ask your partner what kind of affectionate touch is most comforting. Take turns practicing this touch.
Slow-Motion Kissing: Touch and kiss in s-l-o-w motion for several minutes. Whatever speed you would normally use, use quarter speed.
Nurturing Caress: Have one partner relax while the other gently caresses their abdomen, exploring nurturing touch.
Full-Body Kisses: Take turns having one partner lie back while the other slowly kisses from head to toe, focusing on positive qualities.
Face Stroking: Practice cradling your partner's head in your lap and gently stroking their face.
2. Mutual Masturbation
Mutual masturbation is an intimate way to connect with your partner and discover new sides of each other. This practice can help couples overcome barriers to communication about sex, increase comfort with their own bodies, and discover new ways to experience pleasure together. It's a powerful tool for building trust and enhancing sexual intimacy.
Here's a step-by-step guide to try mindful self-exploration:
Initiate the Conversation: Start with a simple statement like "I'd love to explore something new with you" or share an article about mutual masturbation and ask for your partner's thoughts.
Set the Mood: Create a comfortable environment with dim lighting or candlelight. Consider starting clothed and gradually undressing as you become more comfortable.
Choose Your Position: Try side-by-side for beginners, face-to-face for more intimacy, or experiment with one partner observing the other from different angles.
Incorporate Dirty Talk: Express your enjoyment. Tell your partner how attractive they look or how turned on you are.
Use Porn: Consider watching porn together as a way to increase eroticism.
Experiment with Toys and Lube: Introduce favorite sex toys or try new ones together. Consider using lube for enhanced sensation.
Make It Playful: Turn the experience into a game. Try mirroring each other's movements or giving gentle instructions to your partner.
Focus on Sensations: Pay attention to your body's responses and your partner's reactions. This mindfulness can heighten pleasure and intimacy.
Communicate Openly: Share what feels good and ask your partner about their experience. This feedback is invaluable for improving your sex life.
Discuss Afterwards: Reflect on the experience together, sharing what you enjoyed and any new discoveries about yourselves or each other.
Remember, the goal is mutual pleasure and connection, not performance. Approach this exercise with curiosity and openness. Mutual masturbation can be a powerful tool for enhancing intimacy and sexual satisfaction in your relationship.
3. Share Sexual Requests (While Focusing on Pleasure!)
This exercise is designed to heighten sensory awareness and improve communication about physical pleasure. By taking turns making and fulfilling non-intercourse related requests, couples can explore touch, sensation, and intimacy in new ways. This activity helps partners become more attuned to each other's desires and responses, fostering a deeper connection and more satisfying sexual experiences.
Follow these steps:
Set the Atmosphere: Create a calm, private environment. Consider lighting and music to set the mood.
Make Requests: Take turns making three requests each for intimate touch (that are not oral sex or intercourse); such as having your neck kissed or your breast caressed.
Focus on Pleasure: When giving, focus entirely on your partner's pleasure and reactions. When receiving, enjoy the sensations fully - touch, smell, sound, etc.
Communicate: Openly discuss likes or request a change in pressure, direction, or technique.
Reflect Together: After completing all requests, discuss the experience and any new discoveries.
These exercises are about exploration and connection, not performance. Approach them with an open mind and a spirit of playfulness. If you'd like more guidance on these or other techniques, don't hesitate to reach out for sex therapy in Oklahoma City. These exercises can be powerful tools for enhancing intimacy, improving communication, and deepening your sexual connection with your partner.
