NYRITUAL by Zoya Gervis
NEWS COPY - WITH VIDEO AND INFOGRAPHIC
Many Americans are creatures of habit and when it comes to the bedroom things are no different...
Four in 10 Americans have a pre-sex ‘ritual‘, according to new research.
A study into the pre and post-sex behaviors of 2,000 Americans found 38 percent have a routine they do each and every time they do the deed.
What are these rituals? Taking a shower before getting down and dirty in the bedroom, teeth brushing, a bit of mouthwash and lighting a candle to set the mood all featured in the top 10 most common pre-sex habits.
A study conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Pure Romance looked into the sex habits of 2,000 Americans and found that, if people are confident about the possibility of having sex, one in ten will go to the gym to break a sweat before sweating it out in between the sheets.
The main aim of a pre-sex ritual is to build confidence and add enjoyment to the activity, according to 64 percent of respondents.
However, the justifications for pre-sex activity differ between men and women. Three in five women prioritize concern about the way they look, admitting that they partake in certain behaviors prior to having sex because they don’t want to feel self-conscious during the act itself.
On the other hand, men were more likely to partake in certain pre-sex traditions so that they feel more confident about performance with 58 percent naming this as the biggest drive.
That might be why 15 percent of Americans always eat certain foods before sex, with chocolate, pineapples, bananas, watermelon, and oysters the top five.
Doing the right things before sex is clearly important to the majority-making sure that things are perfect before intimacy was crucial for more than half (56 percent) of Americans studied.
It's not just before sex that we establish routines and patterns of behavior- 36 percent do something the same each time after they do the deed as well.
The most popular post-sex moves by Americans are cuddling (74 percent), watching television (48 percent) and getting hydrated (48 percent).
Obviously getting dressed (45 percent) is pretty routine, while spooning (43 percent) remains popular.
Perhaps worryingly, one in seven (14 percent) said their immediate post-sex act was to jump on social media.
The extent to which people maintain routines pre and post-sex point toward a desire to ensure their partner enjoys the event as much as possible and when quizzed 52 percent said thinking about pleasing their partner was their driving though during sex.
However, for many men, that means lasting as long as possible. In fact, Three in 10 men polled revealed that, when having sex, they are thinking about anything that will help make them last longer.
“When it comes to providing the best sexual experience in the bedroom, men and women are looking for different ways to ensure that their partners are pleased and satisfied. Being open to incorporating things like lubricants, bedroom toys, and blindfolds, will help enhance the overall experience” explained Patty Brisben, Pure Romance Founder.
“Americans are looking to have an amazing experience every time they have sex with their significant other. Whether it’s their first time or their 189th time, everyone wants to enjoy intimacy in a pleasurable way. As a result, studies show Americans are turning to sex toys and unique locations to spice things up when their sex lives become a bit too stale or boring” added Patty Brisben, Pure Romance Founder.
TOP 10 PRE-SEX RITUALS
Take a shower
Brush teeth
Go to the bathroom
Shave
Use mouthwash
Put on clean underwear
Change the bedsheets
Put on lingerie
Floss teeth
Light a candle
TOP 10 POST-SEX RITUALS
Cuddling
Watching tv/movie
Drink some water
Get dressed
Spoon
Nothing- just lay there
Have deep, meaningful conversations
Make food
Order takeout
Go on social media
TOP 5 SEX WORRIES FOR MEN
Pleasing my partner
How long I can last
Maintaining my erection
Finding a good rhythm with my partner
That I don’t smell bad
TOP 5 SEX WORRIES FOR WOMEN
What my body looks like
Pleasing my partner
That I don’t smell bad
Finding a good rhythm with my partner
Having to use the bathroom in the middle of it
ENDS