Mindful sex

How to Have Mindful Sex

Mindfulness and sex are not necessarily two areas you’d expect to meet. But, combining the two can actually lead to greater intimacy, increased physical sensation, and even better orgasms!

Sex is emotional – it’s about a connection, and not only physical but also mental intimacy. Mindfulness and the right attitude can increase the experience and bring a whole new aspect to your sex life. Want to learn more? You’re in the right place!

Read on for everything you need to know about mindfulness and sex…

What is mindfulness in sex?

To answer what mindfulness is in sex, first, we need to think about the overall definition of mindfulness.

Mindfulness is all about being in the moment. It’s taking the time to focus, listen completely to your mind and body, and feel every sensation – basically, all things that can easily translate to the bedroom!

Mindfulness in sex is simply taking the time to focus, ground yourself in the moment, and feel enjoyment from every sensation rather than distracting yourself by concentrating on an end goal. All things which pretty much make good sex so good!

Mindful sex

What are the benefits of mindful sex?

We’ve all heard the jokes about getting distracted and thinking about dinner plans or the laundry during what’s supposed to be a thrilling session between the sheets. Wandering minds are never ideal – they take you out of the moment and can lead to sex becoming dull and repetitive. Mindful sex is a perfect cure for this!

Mindful sex involves learning to refocus and bring your attention back to the body and the physical sensations you’re feeling. If you’re worried your sex life feels a little like ‘going through the motions’, mindful sex helps bring a new perspective.

Not only does mindful sex bring more intimacy, allowing a closer relationship between you and your partner, but it is also the ultimate stress release. Taking time out of your day to totally focus on yourself and the connection with your partner gives your brain a chance to switch off from other things. It’s about focusing on being in the moment with no distractions, which we all need a little more of sometimes.

What are the benefits of mindful sex?

An interesting aspect of mindful sex is it involves not focusing on orgasms. You shouldn’t be thinking about the end goal or rushing towards orgasm but being engaged and enjoying the sensations. For many who struggle to orgasm during sex, this removes a lot of pressure and allows you to take value from the overall sensation of sex, rather than putting all the focus solely on achieving orgasm. Plus, mindful sex and focusing on each sensation usually leads to better physical pleasure – which can mean better orgasms anyway!

Similarly, for men who experience performance anxieties or premature ejaculation, enjoying sex that isn’t goal-oriented and instead focuses on the moment can help lift the pressure and lead to a more relaxed and enjoyable time.

Mindful sex

How to have better sex through mindfulness

Sold? Want to know exactly how you can have better sex through mindfulness? Here are our top tips…

number 1
Communicate

We’ve said it once, and we’ll continue saying it forever – communication is the single most important thing when it comes to sex. This is never truer than with mindful sex. Talk to your partner before you get started and discuss what you enjoy and what you want from sex.

number 2
Practice overall meditation and mindfulness

Make a habit of being mindful in your day-to-day life. This could be through guided meditation or simply taking time out of your day to unwind. Mindfulness can be helpful in all aspects of life, so put time aside to refocus day-to-day. Practice emptying your mind while focusing on your body, breathing, and physical sensations. Once you’ve made mindfulness a habit, you can then bring this calm, relaxed energy into the bedroom.

number 3
Get to know your body

Getting to know your body through masturbation allows you to learn and understand exactly what it is you want from your partner during sex. Take the time to fully explore your body and the different sensations you experience. Try teasing different parts of your body and erogenous zones – you might discover something new!

number 4
Prepare your environment

If you’re practising mindful sex, it’s important you pick a quiet time when you won’t be interrupted. A free evening is perfect – you won’t be distracted by other plans, chores, or what’s happening later in the day, and will have the time to focus completely on each other.

Create an ultra-relaxing atmosphere with candles, mood lighting and music. You don’t have to jump straight into sex either – you can start by focusing on each other’s bodies. Try giving each other massages or teasing erogenous zones, really feeling and experiencing each sensation.

number 5
Focus on sensations

You may be surprised to hear this from us but forget about the orgasms for a while! The whole point of mindful sex is to enjoy each and every little moment rather than racing towards that end goal. Thinking too much about orgasming can add unnecessary pressure; instead, allow yourself to enjoy each sensation.

Once you’ve practised mindfulness outside the bedroom, you’ll find it much easier to start bringing it into sex. Empty your mind and don’t allow thoughts to distract you. Explore your partner's body and rediscover what they like and have them do the same for you. Focus on breathing, your body, the rhythm and the sensations you’re feeling in the exact moment – and don’t worry about what’s going to happen next.

number 6
Use your senses

If you find yourself getting distracted or still aren’t sure where to start with mindful sex, try using your senses to bring yourself back into the moment and focus on sensation. What can you see, feel, taste or smell? From the texture and warmth of their skin to the noises they make, focus on the things you wouldn’t usually and enjoy every little moment.

Approaching sex through mindfulness can not only lead to greater physical pleasure but a deeper connection and understanding of your partner. Keep it simple, slow down, enjoy each other and have fun!

For more ways to turn up the intimacy and pleasure, be sure to explore our sexual wellbeing collection.

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