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Would you like to increase your arousal? Then read on to discover 10 simple ways to get turned on more often.
Most people use the terms desire and arousal interchangeably—usually to indicate the process of getting turned on: i.e., your libido. Your sex drive. The hots. Feeling horny!
The truth is that desire and arousal are both part of this process, but as we discussed in a previous article, they describe different things: Desire describes an emotional state of being in a sexual mood, while arousal is the state or response that occurs when turned on. Typically, this response is physiological (to do with bodily functions), but it can also be cognitive (to do with the mind).
So, what are the signs of female arousal?
Here are the most common physical signs of arousal in women:
- Increased lubrication in the vagina
- Sensitive or erect nipples
- Dilated pupils
- Heavy breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
And here are some cognitive or mental signs of arousal (also known as subjective arousal):
- Increased levels of neurotransmitters in the brain
- Greater sense of alertness and awareness
- Present-moment awareness during sexual activities
Now that we’ve covered the basics of arousal, keep reading to learn how you can actually get turned on more often.
Boost your self-esteem
Your self-esteem has a lot more to do with your sex drive and ability to become aroused than you think. Preoccupations with the way our bodies look can create certain mental blocks that prevent us from becoming aroused.
So, how can we accept our bodies and regain confidence? It starts with self-care and self-talk.
- Self-care: Set aside a little time each day to care for your body and mind: moisturize your skin, relax with a book, eat something that’s good for you and enjoy a wonderful masturbation session.
- Self-talk: Many of us mentally berate ourselves far too often. Try to catch yourself doing this, and reframe your self-talk from negative to positive—or at the very least, realistic.
Making more time for self-care and transforming negative thoughts into affirmations of acceptance can feel daunting at first. Fortunately Emjoy is here to get you started with our Practice Self-Care and Limiting Thoughts collections on our audio app.
Relax and de-stress
In our ever busy lives, sexual activity often falls by the wayside—especially after a long week of work, studying or childcare. All that stress weighs heavily on your brain and body – not exactly the best setup for sexy time (solo or with a partner).
This stress creates what sex researchers call inhibitions, or barriers from being able to become in the mood and aroused.
To de-stress, make time for those activities that you enjoy. These can include dancing, or relaxing activities like taking a bath, playing music, thinking calming thoughts. Moving your body regularly also has the added benefit of increasing blood flow to your vaginal area, which improves your ability to get aroused. Woot!
Practice mindfulness meditation
Not only does engaging in mindfulness-based meditation help you relax and de-stress, it also leads to greater in-the-moment awareness—key for becoming and staying aroused during sexual activity. Sex is way more fun when we’re able to focus on kissing and fondling our partner instead of getting lost in thoughts about what we’re having for dinner that night or worrying about the presentation we’re giving tomorrow.
The benefits don’t stop there, though: emerging research in sex therapy suggests numerous additional benefits, including reducing anxiety, improving orgasms, and increased vaginal lubrication.
To learn more about mindfulness and sex, check out the Stay Present and Orgasm Anxiety collections, developed by mindful sexpert Jessica Graham, on the Emjoy app.
Discover what you find sexy
Arousal isn’t just sexual—it starts with the little things in our everyday lives that heighten our senses and stimulate our minds.
Take a few minutes to think about what you find enjoyable in life, and make a list. Think about what you find satisfying, and what brings you those little tingles of pleasure. Perhaps it’s the crunch of that first bite of apple. The stillness in the first snowfall of the season. The sound of rain pattering on the rooftop. Or maybe you enjoy less common things, like untangling a knotted-up necklace, or picking lint off your clothing. You can even include tactile sensations, which we’ll discuss more below.
Finding pleasure in the smaller things helps us recognize and tune into our sexual pleasures more adeptly. Check out the Arouse Your Mind collection on the Emjoy app to discover how to get more aroused in your daily life.
Listen to sexy stories
Erotica spurs our imagination; it allows us to place ourselves in the character’s situation and explore our deepest sexual fantasies and desires. All of this leads to us becoming more adventurous and aroused in our own sex lives.
Download the Emjoy app, and check out our Stories tab for titillating tales ranging from spicy hot to whole-body-on-fire heat. There really is something for everyone, so no matter what gender and relationship dynamics, or type of sex you’re looking for–we’re sure you’ll find something to suit your needs.
Listen to sexy music
With his deep, sensual crooning baritone, Marvin Gaye has been helping us get it on for years. But it’s not just soulful R&B that can put you in the mood—any music that induces a pleasurable sense of euphoria will do the trick.
And the science is beginning to prove this. A 2016 study showed that music creates pleasure levels in the brain similar to the use of opioids.
Eat sensuous foods
Though there’s no definitive proof that any type of food contains aphrodisiacal qualities, it still can play a role in stimulating desire.
Certain foods are considered “sexy” from a cultural standpoint and therefore can activate the pleasure centers in our brains. Some common examples include strawberries, chocolate, and whipped cream. And of course, anything sweet, sticky, or glazed often makes the list.
But don't limit yourself to these common examples—any food that spices things up will work.
Engage in fantasies or role-play
Great for couples stuck in a sexual rut, acting out fantasies via role-play scenarios can help bring back some of that initial spark and excitement to your relationship. Activating your imaginations through playacting boosts creativity and increases arousal. It also helps improve your communication with your partner.
Speaking of communication, make sure both you and your partner check in with each other regularly to make sure you’re comfortable with the scenario as it evolves. Role-play is all about trust and consent.
The ideas for fantasy role-play are endless. Here are some to get you started:
- Strangers meeting for a hookup
- BDSM (check out the BDSM Basics collection for a crash course)
- Career characters: doctor/nurse, teacher/student, cop/criminal
- Curvy & fantasy dolls: If you or your partner are drawn to more voluptuous figures, consider bringing a realistic BBW doll into the bedroom to enhance your intimate moments.
- Check out our sexy stories and try recreating one with your partner
Explore tactile sensations
Of course, touch is very important in directly stimulating physical arousal in the body--whether that be the genitals or elsewhere. Spend some time exploring your own body and discovering where you enjoy being touched and where you’re the most sensitive. Check out the Discover Your Body I collection in the Emjoy app for more on erogenous zones and the power of touch.
And don’t underestimate the power of nonsexual touch, whether that be a tactile sensation you enjoy—such as a fuzzy blanket—or a soothing massage.
Evoke the power of smell
Though the science is mixed on the influence of smell on sexual arousal, evidence suggests that it plays a role. After all, we all can recall that cologne or perfume that made us go wild with desire for someone. And humanity has been using scents like jasmine and vanilla as aphrodisiacs since ancient times.
So spritz on that perfume, and let your senses take you away!
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We hope this information has given you a better understanding of the basics of female arousal, along with some tips to improve its intensity and frequency. If you want to learn more about the science behind arousal and how to take yours to the next level, download the Emjoy app and start your pleasure journey.
If you're not sure where to start listening if you want to increase your arousal, why not kick off with the Arouse Your Mind collection?
