Ever wonder why summer puts you in such a sexy, party-lovin' state of mind? Okay, getting to ogle buff, bare-chested hunks is pretty great. But we're also biologically hardwired to get amped up during these warm-weather months. "It's the end of a hibernation effect," explains David Watson, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Iowa. "As the days get longer, our bodies become more active and energetic." Don't know what to do with that extra adrenaline? We've compiled the steamiest, most pleasure-packed ways you can make the most of the season. The fun starts now!
1. Take A Road Trip.
Map? Check. Full tank? Check. iPod? Check. Top down? Hell, yeah! Then pack your bag and visit a nearby resort this weekend. Not sure where to go? "Think about what fantasy adventure you've been dying to try," suggests Cameron Tuttle, author of The Bad Girl's Guide to the Open Road. Head to Tagaytay or Subic to check out the local casinos, or make like a groupie and catch every leg of your favorite band's tour.
2. Have A Vacation Fling.
The benefits of a temporary tryst with Mr. Right Now? It's one hundred percent fun with zero percent commitment. That's what Julie, 29, discovered while on vacation in Bora. "I hooked up with this gorgeous British guy," she remembers. "Since it was a one time thing, we didn't need to talk about it, which was part of the thrill—no relationship drama!" And if you're not leaving town, just scope out the cute balikbayans visiting your town and show an out-of-towner a good time.
3. Shag Under The Stars.
Summer nights supply the perfect temperature to add outdoor sex to your randy repertoire. "The thrill of doing something forbidden and the fear of getting caught can make the sex so much more exciting," says Joy Davidson, PhD, author of Fearless Sex. "And feeling the air on your body lets you experience touch more acutely. It's more primal."
4. Go Aqua.
Teal, turquoise, ultramarine...they're hot shades that never go out of fashion, but don't stop there. Sip a refreshing blue Curacao cocktail, eat bubblegum ice cream, or buy cool aqua-hued pillowcases. "Every color has a unique impact on your mood," says Leatrice Eiseman, author of The Color Answer Book. "Greenish blue is relaxing, while yellow-green energizes you."
5. Harness Flower Power.
Don't have a plot of land to garden? No big deal. You have a window, don't you? Plant herbs in flower pots, and sun them on your sill. "Basil, oregano, and thyme grow the best," says Aaron Kurdyla of High Tech Landscaping, in New Jersey.
6. Have A Leisurely Lunch…Al Fresco.
The days of desktop dining are finally over. With the warmer weather, you're more likely to want to go out. So hook up with a group of girlfriends at a sidewalk cafe. Besides catching some workday rays, "midday breaks are extremely important for re-energizing yourself," explains Watson. "In order to de-stress, it's crucial to change your environment and escape your normal worries and responsibilities."
7. Enjoy An Extra 20 Morning Minutes.
Give your strands a break from the rising summer heat by finger-combing a dab of smoothing cream through your toweled-off tresses, tying them in a loose bun, and heading out the door for an air-dry. Not only will you be able to snag some extra snooze time, but you'll have gorgeous frizz-free waves when you let your hair down at the office.
8. Ogle The Eye Candy.
Don't be shy about checking out all the six-packed, shirtless studs playing beach volleyball or tossing around a Frisbee in the park. And if a hot hunk just happens to catch you enjoying the, ahem, view, flash him a smile and you'll make his day.
9. Read A Trashy Novel.
Get over feeling like your summer-lit hit list has to translate into brainy cocktail-party conversation. Instead, pick up a page-turner that's purely for pleasure, whether it's a bodice-ripping steamy romance or a nail-biting murder mystery. Two Cosmo-recommended reads: Star Craving Mad, by Elise Abrams Miller, and Dead Sexy, by Kathy Lette.
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10. Get Summer Schooled.
Take a lesson and find your passion. Sign up for a surfing camp, start going to sunrise yoga classes, or expand your wine expertise by joining a wine club. Check out summer-school classes at local colleges or check fliers in bookstores and the neighborhood papers to see what's being offered.
11. Downshift To Flip-Flops.
Strappy stilettos might give you supersexy gams, but those suckers can be murder on your poor little tootsies. Give your feet a break: Hoof it to and from the job in bright, squishy flip-flops, and carry your work shoes in a bag.
12. Banish Your Bra.
Shed a layer and let your silky tank or cotton tee rub right up against your skin. Just be prepared for some bug-eyed male admirers.
13. Take A Sexy Shower Outside.
"Being naked in nature is so sensual because we're not used to being outdoors without clothes on. It helps you lose your inhibitions," says Jane Seddon, author of Daily Sex.
14. Channel Your Inner Child.
Think 30 Going on 13. Hang out in a playground, and ride the swings (even better if your guy is straddling your lap) or test your stamina on the monkey bars. Goofy? Sure, but it's still a helluva lot of fun.
15. Have A Signature Summer Song.
Surf the airwaves for the kind of tune that makes you want to party. Check out www.apple.com/itunes.com for rockin' downloads or load up CD tracks, then copy them onto your iPod so you can have an instant energy boost anytime you need it.
16. Beat The Sunday Blues.
Put a stop to Monday-morning anxiety by heading out on Sunday night and making the weekend last longer. "Every Sunday, a bunch of us go for sundowner cocktails and listen to a local band jam at the beach," says Mela, 28. "By the time I get home, I've had such a good time that I'm not depressed about going back to work."
17. Boycott The Gym.
Ditch your indoor fitness routine and work up a sweat al fresco. Whether it's biking, blading, or running, "you get a better workout due to wind and inclines," says Chase Taylor, personal training manager for Equinox in New York City. "Plus, the changing scenery is more interesting and helps the time pass faster."
18. Give Your Tongue A Sweet Treat.
Work up an appetite and walk to your favorite ice cream shop. Then stroll back home, relishing every delicious slurp (indulge in the real stuff, not the low-fat, low-taste variety). And if any cuties catch you lapping up the sweet concoction, let 'em wonder what other delicious things you do with your tongue.
19. Sleep In The Buff.
You don't have to be snuggling with your guy to snooze au naturel. In fact, you may do yourself a frisky favor by stripping down when you're solo. "Feeling cool, soft sheets on your naked body is extremely sensual and makes you feel sexy," says Davidson. "It gives you a body-confidence boost that will translate when you're with your guy."
1. Take A Road Trip.
Map? Check. Full tank? Check. iPod? Check. Top down? Hell, yeah! Then pack your bag and visit a nearby resort this weekend. Not sure where to go? "Think about what fantasy adventure you've been dying to try," suggests Cameron Tuttle, author of The Bad Girl's Guide to the Open Road. Head to Tagaytay or Subic to check out the local casinos, or make like a groupie and catch every leg of your favorite band's tour.
2. Have A Vacation Fling.
The benefits of a temporary tryst with Mr. Right Now? It's one hundred percent fun with zero percent commitment. That's what Julie, 29, discovered while on vacation in Bora. "I hooked up with this gorgeous British guy," she remembers. "Since it was a one time thing, we didn't need to talk about it, which was part of the thrill—no relationship drama!" And if you're not leaving town, just scope out the cute balikbayans visiting your town and show an out-of-towner a good time.
3. Shag Under The Stars.
Summer nights supply the perfect temperature to add outdoor sex to your randy repertoire. "The thrill of doing something forbidden and the fear of getting caught can make the sex so much more exciting," says Joy Davidson, PhD, author of Fearless Sex. "And feeling the air on your body lets you experience touch more acutely. It's more primal."
4. Go Aqua.
Teal, turquoise, ultramarine...they're hot shades that never go out of fashion, but don't stop there. Sip a refreshing blue Curacao cocktail, eat bubblegum ice cream, or buy cool aqua-hued pillowcases. "Every color has a unique impact on your mood," says Leatrice Eiseman, author of The Color Answer Book. "Greenish blue is relaxing, while yellow-green energizes you."
5. Harness Flower Power.
Don't have a plot of land to garden? No big deal. You have a window, don't you? Plant herbs in flower pots, and sun them on your sill. "Basil, oregano, and thyme grow the best," says Aaron Kurdyla of High Tech Landscaping, in New Jersey.
6. Have A Leisurely Lunch…Al Fresco.
The days of desktop dining are finally over. With the warmer weather, you're more likely to want to go out. So hook up with a group of girlfriends at a sidewalk cafe. Besides catching some workday rays, "midday breaks are extremely important for re-energizing yourself," explains Watson. "In order to de-stress, it's crucial to change your environment and escape your normal worries and responsibilities."
7. Enjoy An Extra 20 Morning Minutes.
Give your strands a break from the rising summer heat by finger-combing a dab of smoothing cream through your toweled-off tresses, tying them in a loose bun, and heading out the door for an air-dry. Not only will you be able to snag some extra snooze time, but you'll have gorgeous frizz-free waves when you let your hair down at the office.
8. Ogle The Eye Candy.
Don't be shy about checking out all the six-packed, shirtless studs playing beach volleyball or tossing around a Frisbee in the park. And if a hot hunk just happens to catch you enjoying the, ahem, view, flash him a smile and you'll make his day.
9. Read A Trashy Novel.
Get over feeling like your summer-lit hit list has to translate into brainy cocktail-party conversation. Instead, pick up a page-turner that's purely for pleasure, whether it's a bodice-ripping steamy romance or a nail-biting murder mystery. Two Cosmo-recommended reads: Star Craving Mad, by Elise Abrams Miller, and Dead Sexy, by Kathy Lette.
[nextpage]
10. Get Summer Schooled.
Take a lesson and find your passion. Sign up for a surfing camp, start going to sunrise yoga classes, or expand your wine expertise by joining a wine club. Check out summer-school classes at local colleges or check fliers in bookstores and the neighborhood papers to see what's being offered.
11. Downshift To Flip-Flops.
Strappy stilettos might give you supersexy gams, but those suckers can be murder on your poor little tootsies. Give your feet a break: Hoof it to and from the job in bright, squishy flip-flops, and carry your work shoes in a bag.
12. Banish Your Bra.
Shed a layer and let your silky tank or cotton tee rub right up against your skin. Just be prepared for some bug-eyed male admirers.
13. Take A Sexy Shower Outside.
"Being naked in nature is so sensual because we're not used to being outdoors without clothes on. It helps you lose your inhibitions," says Jane Seddon, author of Daily Sex.
14. Channel Your Inner Child.
Think 30 Going on 13. Hang out in a playground, and ride the swings (even better if your guy is straddling your lap) or test your stamina on the monkey bars. Goofy? Sure, but it's still a helluva lot of fun.
15. Have A Signature Summer Song.
Surf the airwaves for the kind of tune that makes you want to party. Check out www.apple.com/itunes.com for rockin' downloads or load up CD tracks, then copy them onto your iPod so you can have an instant energy boost anytime you need it.
16. Beat The Sunday Blues.
Put a stop to Monday-morning anxiety by heading out on Sunday night and making the weekend last longer. "Every Sunday, a bunch of us go for sundowner cocktails and listen to a local band jam at the beach," says Mela, 28. "By the time I get home, I've had such a good time that I'm not depressed about going back to work."
17. Boycott The Gym.
Ditch your indoor fitness routine and work up a sweat al fresco. Whether it's biking, blading, or running, "you get a better workout due to wind and inclines," says Chase Taylor, personal training manager for Equinox in New York City. "Plus, the changing scenery is more interesting and helps the time pass faster."
18. Give Your Tongue A Sweet Treat.
Work up an appetite and walk to your favorite ice cream shop. Then stroll back home, relishing every delicious slurp (indulge in the real stuff, not the low-fat, low-taste variety). And if any cuties catch you lapping up the sweet concoction, let 'em wonder what other delicious things you do with your tongue.
19. Sleep In The Buff.
You don't have to be snuggling with your guy to snooze au naturel. In fact, you may do yourself a frisky favor by stripping down when you're solo. "Feeling cool, soft sheets on your naked body is extremely sensual and makes you feel sexy," says Davidson. "It gives you a body-confidence boost that will translate when you're with your guy."
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