Get to Know Your Body

Bodies hugging

Get to know your body

Learning about what your body likes and how it reacts to different sensations will help you relax in intimate situations and focus on your sexual needs. Find out more from psychosexual therapist Paula Hall .


Allow at least 30 minutes for this exercise. Switch off the phone, lock your door and make sure you won't be disturbed

Many people ignore the sensual pleasures of their body, preferring to focus on genital stimulation. But doing this cuts you off from so much potential intimacy and pleasure and can often lead to goal-orientated sex that may be disappointing.

Bath time

Run yourself a bath, making it deep and warm. (If you don't have a bath, a shower will do.) Add a favorite bath foam or oil, step in and relax.

Focus on the warmth of the water. Do you feel it differently on various parts of your body? How does the water feel as it moves over you? Notice the varying textures of your skin and the areas that are most sensitive to touch.

Finishing touches

Once you're out of the bath, dry yourself with a warm towel. Focus on how this feels. Does your body prefer being dried gently? Or vigorously? Perhaps the feelings differ across your body.


Now explore your body from head to toe, perhaps while applying a body lotion. Think about what kind of touch different parts of your body enjoy.

Experiment with different pressure and strokes, noticing what direction your body prefers. Spend some time touching your chest, particularly your nipples. This can be a pleasurable area for many men as well as women.

Move your hands down your body to focus on your stomach, hips and bottom, and finish with your inner thighs.

Your feelings

Throughout the exercise, think about how you feel. Relaxed? Invigorated? Pampered?

If you feel guilty or silly spending so much time on yourself, remind yourself that if you know your body better you're likely to enjoy sex more.

Related Information:

next: Pelvic Floor Exercises for Woman

Last Updated: April 5, 2016

Reviewed by Harry Croft, MD