Get Your Summer Love

Learn the science of summer romance and steam up the season


Turns out, Justin Timberlake was really on to something when he sang about the burning intensity of summer love. "People tend to feel more sexual in warm weather because they're visually stimulated by all the flesh on display," says Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., author of Because It Feels Good. "And we're subconsciously reminded of sex because the sun flushes the skin in a very similar way to the glow people have when they are aroused." So embrace the sultry season, full on.

1. It's a Great Time to be Spontaneous.
After spending nearly two decades in school, we're conditioned to look for play in June. And leaving behind that cooped-up, cabin-fever attitude triggers a carefree, ready-for-anything mind-set that stokes the relationship fires. "Keeping each other guessing increases the production of dopamine, a hormone associated with excitement and anticipation that makes couples feel more sexually attracted to each other," says Scott Haltzman, M.D., author of The Secrets of Happily Married Women.

2. You Have Hot-Weather Lust
. Most of the nation experienced below-normal dips in the mercury this past winter and spring, so we're all pumped for rising temps. "Exposure to sunlight triggers the body to produce mood-boosting dopamine and serotonin, plus a hormone called MSH—all of which spur your libido," says Michael F. Holick, Ph.D., M.D., author of The Vitamin D Solution. Also, since the days are longer, you'll feel the sun's effects even more. Celebrate the Summer Solstice (June 21), when you'll have 15 hours of sunlight at your disposal.

3. Sex Will Feel More Intense.
You were caged in all winter, so now that the sun is beating down, take to the sexy outdoors to experience magnified sensations. "The beauty of having sex in nature is that it engages all of your senses—the aroma of fresh flowers, the cool breeze on your warm skin, the soft earth under your body," says Gilda Carle, Ph.D., author of 99 Prescriptions for Fidelity. "These new stimuli make sex more of a mind-body experience." There are plenty of outdoor venues available (think private beach, backyard...), so get busy.

4. Your Nose Can Act As A Sexual Spy.
A woman can subconsciously smell whether or not a man is into her just by standing close to him, according to the Journal of Neuroscience. "A man who's attracted to a woman will secrete chemicals through his sweat glands that her brain instinctively encodes as sexual interest," says Helen Fisher, Ph.D., author of Why Him? Why Her? And according to Alan Hirsch, M.D., director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, a woman's superior sense of smell is even sharper in the summer, thanks to the added moisture in the air. So right now, you're in prime position to weed out the guys who just want to be pals. "Pay attention to your gut," says Fisher. If you find yourself feeling especially confident and attractive around a guy, it's probably because he digs you.

5. Your Sex Appeal Is Smokin'.
Warm weather means you don't have to try very hard to look hot—you're already baring more of your bod in cutoff shorts and strapless dresses. Just don't go overboard with the flesh flashing. "Novelty is the driving force behind male attraction, so if you show all of your goods, he may not be motivated to discover any more of you," says Bethany Marshall, Ph.D., author of Deal Breakers.

6. Love Feels Like a Vacation.
Even if you can't jet off on a vacay as easily as Jay-Z and Beyonce can, try to make a mini escape with your man. "Couples tend to have more explosive sex on vacation, because without the stressors of the daily grind—a major libido killer— they can really focus on their relationship," says Carle. "After all that undivided attention, you'll feel closer because you'll remember why you fell in love in the first place."

7. You'll Widen Your Dating Pool.
Basking in warm, pleasant weather for 30 minutes makes people more open-minded and receptive to new situations, according to research conducted at the University of Michigan. "Being outside readjusts your outlook," says Holick. "The sun represses melatonin levels, making you feel alert, open to new ideas, and willing to put yourself in unfamiliar territory." You can also apply that creative streak in the bedroom by spending time in the sun before getting busy, then mixing up your moves. Have sex without kissing, or just ditch foreplay and go straight to intercourse.

8. You're So Hot, You Turn Yourself On.
Steaming bowls of carb-heavy chili and gooey pizza are winter comfort foods, but they're not exactly bikinifriendly. It's lucky, then, that in the summer we naturally crave a different family of foods that boost our mood and appreciation of our body. "In the summer, when people are more dehydrated from the sun, they're more likely to eat energizing, tummy-flattening, water-based foods such as citrus, spinach, and cold soup," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D., author of the upcoming book Read It Before You Eat It. That has a cool payoff: "When people feel healthier and lighter, they feel more comfortable in their skin. And that newfound confidence creates a sexy frame of mind, prompting you to hit the sheets more often.

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