How to Get Horny: 10 Tips to Boost Your Sexual Arousal

Remember the days when all it took was a glance from a boy you liked to have your face flush with excitement? How many social studies books doubled as privacy screens to keep our adolescent boners out of sight as we walked down the halls?

But as we get older, desire changes. We often become more fickle, both in body and mind, about what makes our dick tick. Sexual arousal doesn’t necessarily come from attraction, masturbation, or even full-on penetration. There are too many variables: What if we skipped lunch? What if the baby wakes up? What if the yoga instructor catches us staring again? It’s a lot of stress, and stress is a real boner killer.

Getting horny was never really as straightforward as it seemed, regardless of whether you were getting dicked down in your dorm or going downtown with your date. Some of us need to work up an appetite before we eat the booty like groceries. Fortunately, we’re offering our services to show you how to get horny and get your little guy back in the game.

What is sexual arousal?

Sexual arousal is your body’s mental and physical response in anticipation of sex. Sexual desire can arise from many different sensations and manifest in various ways — one of the most noticeable being the turgid erection lifting the center of your shorts. What sparks sexual arousal for one person might not do much for another, especially if one of those people is (egad!) a heterosexual.

Wondering how to get turned on? 10 was to get in the mood

If you’re searching for something to flip your sex switch, may we recommend one of these 10 sexy options that can turn the most flaccid flirting into a rock-hard romance.

1. Release some pressure

Many people see sex as such a serious thing. But if we all took a deep breath and remembered we’re just messy meat sacks with wet bones and wetter desires, we might have a much easier time keeping it up.

As we mentioned before, stress isn’t very sexy. We wouldn’t suggest it’s as simple as willing your anxieties away, but keeping your stress in check will pay dividends when it’s time for a romp in the sack.

2. Try peppering in porn or erotica

Porn is a phenomenal tool for getting your penis in gear for a sexy time. It doesn’t have to be something you find online, either. Sometimes books, images, or even home videos (hint hint) can be just what you need to prepare yourself for pumpin’. You may want to keep a folder on your computer with your favorite porn to help really get you going when you need it. Name it something like “boring tax documents” for safety.

3. Try sex toys

Sex toys are designed for pleasure and stimulation, so don’t be afraid to incorporate them into your sexual rotation! You might find yourself titillated by how something feels on your tit or enjoy how it goes ballistic on your balls. 

4. Think about a time you were horny

Want to know how to turn yourself on with just your mind? Nostalgia is a known aphrodisiac. Sexual arousal sometimes requires some method acting or even a “fake it till you make it” approach until you get yourself there.

That’s not to say you should try to convince yourself to do something you aren’t comfortable with. It’s more appropriate when you know you want to feel aroused and need to run the highlight reel to help get the blood flow moving. 

5. Relish in some foreplay

We gays are fortunate to understand the true value of foreplay. It often makes actual sexual penetration easier. But the value is even greater for those who want to feel more aroused. Does it turn you on to see your partner squirming with delight as you give them a sensual massage? Then start there. Because who’s going to complain about a few more prepenetration sex acts if they still involve those sensitive erogenous zones?

6. Set the scene

Some people need a little romance to get going. Either that or enough Albolene on the nightstand to relieve a traveling circus of all their makeup in a single swoop. It doesn’t really matter as long as it works for you. If mood lighting, candles, or a glass of champagne can all help loosen you up a bit, then don’t deny yourself those pleasures!

7. Focus on your health

If you’re not drinking water or eating right, you probably won’t be in the mood for sex. The mind and body both experience arousal and facilitate blood flow to your snack stick, a process that becomes much more complicated when you lack essential nutrients. Get some sleep, moderate your drug and alcohol intake, and work out more often. You could even try meditation — whatever it takes to feel more rested so your body can get its freak on without fear.

8. Give that new position a go

Now that you’re focusing on your health, you’ve been stretching, right? Fantastic! Now’s the time to try out the Imprisoned Mongoose or the Chappell Bone. Okay, so those might not be actual sex positions. Still, we’ve all seen those positions that make you go hmmm… Try one out, provided you’re healthy and limber. It could be the answer to your languishing libido.

9. Listen to some music

Music has made people horny for millennia. Even if it doesn’t get your body moving, it does tend to help you relax. Setting the mood with the right song or playlist could take you from hard rock to hard cock.

10. Communicate and be honest

Talk with your partner. This isn’t last on the list because it’s a last resort; it’s the most important! A caring sex partner will want to know if you’re struggling to get aroused. Help them feel more confident by reassuring them it isn’t their fault. They should be willing to work with you and provide all kinds of support, whether that means playing out horny fantasies or talking through your moods and stress levels.

Overcoming arousal challenges

A lack of testosterone is a common challenge for men chasing arousal. Testosterone naturally diminishes as you age. It’s also one of the reasons erectile dysfunction becomes more likely over time.

Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to mope about with your wet noodle. Much like how you would tackle a mysterious food allergy, you could start a horny journal. It’s simple; just document what’s going on whenever you’re horny. You’ll begin to notice certain activities, moods, or even times of day that indicate arousal and see how your lifestyle could be impacting your sex life. Replicating these conditions will show you how to get in the mood more consistently.