During this season, we often talk about gratitude, right? We almost instinctively start thinking about the things we should be grateful for - the people we love, the jobs we do, even our favorite foods (ice cream... I'm always grateful for it throughout the year). But how many times do we turn this gratitude inward, especially towards our own bodies? To be honest, surrounded by all kinds of "perfect body" messages every day, we easily forget to cherish the bodies we have.
But the problem is: When we fall into the feeling of "not being good enough", not only is our self-esteem affected. These feelings also seep into our private lives, preventing us from fully experiencing sexual arousal, pleasure, and even climax. So, if during this season, we prioritize practicing body gratitude? Reconnect with our bodies, embrace the love of our bodies, and - to be honest - thereby have better sex.
How physical love and gratitude affect pleasure and promote a more fulfilling sexual life
Just think about it: When we lose connection with our bodies, it's like trying to enjoy a delicious meal while distracted. We only enjoy half of it, and the experience is diluted. The same goes for intimate relationships. Discoordination with the body can prevent us from experiencing sexual desire and ultimately prevent us from achieving pleasure. When we start to be grateful for and love our bodies, we create space for relaxation and self-acceptance, which is absolutely the key to achieving a truly satisfying intimate relationship. We also start to feel safe in our own bodies because we don't need to constantly try to change or adjust. We all know how sexy security is.
Science also supports this. Research shows that people who feel positively about their bodies are more relaxed and more likely to experience happiness. They are better able to stay focused, experience genuine connections, and thus bring about - you guessed it - better sex. Physical love is not just a feel-good word; it is actually an important part of opening our hearts and fully experiencing intimate relationships.
Be grateful for your body and achieve a more wonderful sex life.
This ritual doesn’t have to be complicated, but it can be incredibly powerful. Here’s a simple way to start:
Set Your Scene: Create a comfortable space—maybe add soft lighting, candles, or your favorite essential oils. Think of it as making a space where you can tune into yourself without distractions (check out my blog with tips for doing this here).
A Moment for Body Love Through Breath and Meditation: Begin by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths. Let each breath remind you of the things your body does for you. If you prefer recorded meditations, try one of my free meditations on Insight Timer.
Gentle Yoga Poses: Bring in some grounding poses, like Child’s Pose or seated heart-openers. These are great for releasing tension and bringing your focus back to your body in a really gentle, nurturing way. I’ve written more about yoga and its connection to body awareness and pleasure if you’d like to dive deeper.
Exploring Sensation: Now, with a soft, intentional touch, explore the textures and sensations of your skin, moving slowly and noticing what feels good. This isn’t about performance or intentional arousal; it’s about connecting with yourself and appreciating what your body has to offer. Allow yourself to feel every sensation. Believe me, when you can do this alone, it opens up new dimensions of connection and pleasure with a partner.
How does physical love and gratitude contribute to intimate relationships and sexual life?
When we are grateful for our bodies, we can lay the foundation for more authentic and pleasurable intimate experiences. Having a comfortable feeling enables us to open up our hearts more freely to others, which is no secret. But what's astonishing is that this feeling can quickly translate into a more wonderful sexual experience.
When we take the time to care for and connect with our bodies, we are actually sending a message to ourselves: We deserve happiness and joy. This mindset does not disappear when we are with our partners. In fact, it enables us to experience more happiness, engage more fully in it, and establish a connection with our partners in a fun and profound way. This ritual is not only about self-care, but also about building better and more intimate relationships with ourselves and others.
Body Appreciation Summary
This season, let's try something new. Let's appreciate our bodies, not just for their appearance (by the way, your buttocks look amazing), but also for all the things they give us, from daily chores to the most delightful moments. Caring for and being grateful for our bodies might just be the key to achieving better sex, deeper connections, and more joy in life. So, let's start with this simple ritual and see what it brings us. Let's love our bodies, experience more pleasure, and be fully present with ourselves and the ones we love.