Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a working knowledge of 52 sex positions or a background in porn to be ridiculously good in bed. Instead, it comes down to more subtle (and realistic) factors that you may already posses. And if you don't, we're here to help you hone the skills you really need to blow your partner's mind.
Whether it's hearing out your partner's fantasy or allowing yourself to really identify your own, being open to different desires and turn-ons is essential in a partner, says sex therapist Ian Kerner, Ph.D., author of She Comes First. "Remember it's all in the realm of fantasy—it's not something you ever have to do," says Kerner. So put aside your judgments and really listen to the desires of you and your partner. You may find that you're into some really interesting stuff. (And if that happens to be BDSM, here's how to have the "bad girl" sex of your dreams!)
We see the arm of a couch, you see a great prop for doggie style. We see a bra, you see a bondage tool. Being creative and looking for new ways to spice things up is crucial in a lover, says sex and relationship therapist Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., author of The Normal Bar: The Surprising Secrets of Happy Couples. "Someone who says 'let's dress up,' or 'let's go into the closet,' or anything that's a bit more interesting is great," says Schwartz. Get creative with these 11 places you need to have sex at least once in your life.
And we don't just mean while you're getting busy or whenever you see that so-sexy-it-should-be-illegal guy at your gym. "Sex has a strong mental component," says Kerner. So pay attention when you have a sensual thought or feel randomly aroused throughout the day, and don't immediately dismiss it. "Allow yourself to feel eroticized and observe what's sexy around you," says Kerner. Still don't believe your brain and your libido are connected? Check out exactly what's going on in your brain during an orgasm.
Practicing compassion in every area of your life is clutch, but practicing it in the bedroom can make you a seriously good sex partner. We're not suggesting you always put the other person first (after all, your orgasms are important too), but it can be really hot to focus on pleasing your partner every once in a while, just for the sake of satisfying them. "Maybe it's going for it in the morning when your boyfriend typically wants to have sex," says Kerner. Or maybe it's indulging in a position they love or treating them to oral that isn't just a precursor to the main event, says Kerner. It's not about being selfless all the time, but rather about treating your partner how you'd like to be treated. We promise, these generous acts will not go unnoticed.
