10 Tips to Spice Up Your Lockdown Valentine’s Day

Now that we're in lockdown, going out for a special Valentine's Day dinner is no longer an option. But luckily, we found that doesn't matter and you can still enjoy a romantic night at home.

We surveyed Brits to find out what would most likely get us in the mood - and what doesn't! Our research shows that you don't need oysters or an expensive date night to spice things up. Read on to find 10 tips for the perfect lockdown Valentine's Day sex, plus advice from a relationships expert.

10 tips for better Valentine's Day sex

1. Schedule sex on your calendar
2. Go to bed early the night before
3. Don't dodge your domestic jobs beforehand
4. Avoid a heavy takeaway
5. Make a home-cooked dinner
6. Ditch aphrodisiacs like oysters
7. Avoid reality and crime TV, the biggest passion killers
8. Watch a comedy to lighten the mood
9. Stay off your phone and social media
10. Initiate sex right before you go to sleep

Read on to find out more about why these tips work, according to the results of our survey.

1. Schedule sex on your calendar

Our data uncovered that 3 in 5 would schedule intimacy, proving you don’t need spontaneity for a good sex life. Relationship and Body Language Expert Katia Loisel from Love Destination says:

“It may not sound romantic, but when your life is full of distractions and a ‘to do’ list as long as your arm, making time for sex can be the last thing on your mind. Scheduling intimacy forces you to focus on the two of you and to prioritise your relationship.”

2. Go to bed early the night before

Being tired is the most common reason we don't want sex, according to 2 in 5 Brits. With a third of Brits in sleep debt, it’s no surprise we’re too worn-out for romance.

3. Don't dodge your domestic jobs beforehand

Don’t shirk your domestic duties if you want to boost your sex life. 40% would turn down sex if their partner hadn’t done their share of household jobs.

4. Avoid a heavy takeaway

Our study uncovered that feeling too full and bloated would put a stop to sex. 1 in 6 said they wouldn’t have sex until the next day if they’d eaten a big takeaway.

5. Make a home-cooked dinner

40% claim the top domestic job to put them in the mood is cooking, if their partner does it for them. If you're not the world's best chef, swap your usual restaurant meal for a supermarket dine-in deal - you'll save money too!

6. Ditch aphrodisiacs like oysters

You can give oysters a miss too, as less than 1 in 20 don't bother with aphrodisiacs for a good sex life. Data suggests that natural aphrodisiacs are largely ineffective anyway.

7. Avoid reality and crime TV, the biggest passion killers

Our survey exposed reality TV and crime as the biggest passion killers, as 1 in 5 say these genres are least likely to encourage sex.

8. Watch a comedy to lighten the mood

Our data shows that laughter is the best way to the bedroom. 90% agree comedy shows are least likely to kill the mood.

9. Stay off your phone and social media

Harvard University says our brains react the same way to sex as they do to successful social interactions. But are we more satisfied by Facebook likes than sex? According to our study, 10% put our phones and social media in front of sex.

10. Initiate sex right before you go to sleep

Our research shows that 40% agree it’s best to have sex between 6pm and 10pm. With most of us going to bed between 10pm and 11pm, it’s a good idea to schedule intimacy just before you go to sleep.

If you’ve already tried the advice above but your sex isn’t getting better, why not consider a sleep divorce? Your partner could be disturbing your sleep and making you too tired for sex.

See how sleeping separately could improve your love life or read more about relationships and the science behind cuddling in our other blog posts.