WELLBEING

Sexual mindfulness and other 2023 sex trends you need to know about

14 February, 2023 . 0

Ever wondered what goes on in other people’s sex lives or need some inspiration to spice up yours? A new sex trends report sheds some light.

Whether it’s exercise, interior design or what style of jean is currently “in”, when it comes to most things in life, there’s always a trend or two to follow if you’re that way inclined.

Turns out sex is no different, with sexual wellbeing company Lovehoney Group recently releasing their annual sex trends report.

So what’s instore between the sheets this year?

Here are three of the top sex trends to keep your eye on in 2023.

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Trend #1: Sexual mindfulness

Mindfulness is a buzzword all in its own right and when it comes to “sexual mindfulness”, according to the report it’s all about quality over quantity and conscious consumption.

“Sexual mindfulness is about being present in the experience of pleasure, rather than having ‘goal-oriented’ sex,” sex and relationship expert for Womanizer, Christine Rafe, says.

How to get on board?

“If you’re completely new to any type of mindfulness practice, I always suggest starting to invite mindfulness and sensory awareness activities into your everyday life, first,” Christine says.

“For example, rather than mindlessly sipping your tea, stop and pay attention to it.

“Notice what it looks like, feel for the temperature, bring attention to the smell and take slow sips, allowing it to sit in your mouth before swallowing and notice what that feels and tastes like.”

Christine says sexual mindfulness follows the same process of tuning into the senses in the present moment, but incorporating sensual or sexual stimuli.

“With a partner, sexual mindfulness could be incorporated into any sexual activity, where the focus is on slowing down and paying attention to the pleasure and sensations in the moment, rather than focusing on functional or performative sex.”

Trend #2: Smart sextech

If cybersex and virtual experiences gained traction during the pandemic, according to the report, people are now reinvesting in real-world experiences – but they want smart sextech to go with it.

Sex toys with app-connectivity, heat-functions or that can automatically adapt vibration patterns to music are already available, and this year will see new innovations in this space.

“App-controlled and customised vibration patterns on smart sex toys, like the We-Vibe Sync 2, allows for personalised sensations in both solo and partnered play,” Christine says.

“Whether you’re new to sex toys, or own those with pre-set functions, this gives you the ability to adapt your toy based on the unique pleasure needs of your body on any given day.”

It’s also predicted that technologies that unite the digital and analogue world – such as augmented reality, or AR – will change the way we shop online for toys in the near future.

“Augmented reality stores for sexual wellness products, like Lovehoney’s pop-up store in the metaverse Decentraland last year, are a great option for those who might otherwise have felt reluctant to shop in a physical story, allowing opportunity to get a sense of the variety of products available, and compare shapes and sizes from the comfort of your own home.”

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Trend #3: Open intimacy

The prediction is that traditionally taboo topics will continue to become more and more mainstream in 2023.

And according to Australia’s leading men’s sex coach, Cam Fraser, that’s definitely a positive.

“The trend we’re seeing, especially with young people, around open intimacy and accessing sex- and pleasure-positive information online, feeling less stigmatised and having more conversations about sexuality and pleasure, is really important for healthy, enjoyable sex lives,” Cam says.

Not confident about being intimately open when it comes to expressing, or even exploring, what you want from sex?

Cam has this advice: “One way of getting more comfortable with this is to listen to sex- and pleasure-positive podcasts, either alone or with a partner.

“There are so many great podcasts available, which provide resources, education, guidance and empowering stories.

“Listening with a partner can be an easier way to initiate a vulnerable conversation about sex, taking the pressure off you and your partner.”