January is coming to an end, the holiday season and anticipation of Christmas baking are over. Along with the added chill comes seasonal depression, a condition often triggered by cold temperatures and the loss of sunlight. This condition, a form of depression, can cause sadness, anxiety, lack of energy, irritability and often a decrease in sex drive.
However, we find that the very effects of a regular and healthy sex life can help decrease some of the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Healthy sex can help improve sleep, boost your immunity, help cognition and relieve stress by releasing all sorts of feel-good chemicals: namely dopamine (which impacts the brain’s pleasure and reward centre), endorphins (which can help reduce pain and stress) and oxytocin (triggering feelings of love and protection).
Finding yourself in a sexual slump with your partner?
Maybe a little BDSM play will help spice things up in the bedroom, helping you get all those wonderful side effects of sex. BDSM (short for bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism) can help partners try something new in the bedroom, shifting power dynamics and increasing the realms of pleasure. Check out our list of our top 3 favourite BDSM gear of the month to gain inspiration and plan your next kinky adventure.
Also, keep scrolling to check out a few tips and tricks to keep BDSM hot in the cold months.
Saffron Loop Paddle with Wrist Strap ($24.99)
Feel the thrill of playful control or sexy submission no matter which side of the gorgeous Saffron Loop Paddle you're on- this classic spank tool was designed to play good and hard! Folded over into a flexible namesake loop up top, this unique paddle is nice and supple, cracking, slapping or tapping perfectly at the will of its holder. Delivering lots of stings when flicked just right, the Loop can tease and tantalize lightly, too. Whatever your play style, a sturdy handle and long wrist strap keep control close.
Hand and Leg Cuff Set in Pink ($39.99)
Playfully created to support and stabilize some seriously pleasurable positions, this set from Ouch! combines four pink faux leather cuffs with swivelling hardware sturdy enough for the most sexually adventurous mates. In soft canvas-lined faux leather, the easily adjusted wrist and ankle cuffs instantly lock up arms or legs. Join a partner's limbs together around the back or front to experience the classic hogtie position- each cuff clips to O-rings on the cross strap. Extra versatile however they're taken advantage of, each cuff pair can be enjoyed individually or joined to another. Thanks to sturdy universal O-rings and swivelling clasps, the Cuffs can be combined with any number of bondage gear pieces you may already own.
Ouch! Old School Tattoo Style Bondage Kit ($89.99)
Honestly, when you're all tied up in the middle of a hot, heavy, super-sexy play session, the last thing you're probably thinking about is the pattern of your gear. But when things cool down and you've stowed the Old School Tattoo Style Bondage Kit away in your bedside table or toy chest, wouldn't it be nice to be able to peek in every once in a while and let the bold vintage ink visuals bring back some sizzling cuffed-up memories? Sure it would! Aside from a great-looking print, all eight pieces of must-have bondage gear inside this set feature user-friendly designs and easy compatibility/connect-ability with what's included, plus lots of bondage or play gear you might already own and love. Inside, you'll find all the classics; two pairs of cuffs - one for wrists and one for ankles - and two chain cuff connectors, a hogtie connector, a beginner-friendly breathable ball gag, a collar, a chain leash with looped handle, a spank-ready paddle, and a beloved blindfold mask. Need more? A set of sex dice is also included - roll both to test your sexy luck. In soft-backed vegan leather and metal, all pieces of the Old School Tattoo Style Bondage Kit should be spot-cleaned as needed.
Keeping Things Hot in Cold Weather
Want to expand your play? We love a theme here, so let’s talk about cold weather sex moves. We love these little tips and tricks because they can excite with little effort and can greatly increase teasing and foreplay.
Candle Play
Turn up the heat by bringing candles (also known as wax play) into the bedroom. Wax play is a form of risk-aware consensual kink and can be a facet of BDSM that involves pouring hot wax on yourself or a partner's body when you're getting intimate. With safety precautions and continued consent in place, using wax play candles can be a great way to marry sensation play, temperature play, and edge play, all at once.
Make sure to follow safety precautions when engaging in this kind of play, the last thing you need is a burn ruining the mood.
- Keep fire safety in mind. You are in fact: playing with fire. So make sure to burn candles in a well-ventilated area with a fire extinguisher or water handy.
- Make sure to use a candle with skin-safe ingredients like shea butter or soy. You can also choose to use a candle that melts into massage oil. (We recommend the Massage Candle Red Mandarin )
- Before beginning to drip, have the submissive lie down on a plastic sheet or damp cloth to avoid ruining bed sheets and creating a mess. Massage the submissive with oil or lotion in order to create an easy removal, while also creating a sensual moment before any heat is introduced. Light the candle and drip a small amount of wax onto your own hand or wrist. If you feel comfortable with the temperature, drip a small amount onto the selected area of your bottom and test their reaction.
- To remove hardened wax, gently scrape with a loofa in a warm shower
Ice Play
Ice Play can be super hot. Plus, what a great theme for the winter months. Our recommendation of ice play is to start with sucking lightly on a cube of ice, then running the ice cube down the submissive’s body, teasing the neck, nipples and inner thighs. Follow up the tease with hot breath over the areas. Make sure to use good communication when using ice on genitals, making sure that the partner is not given too cold of ice on sensitive areas.
Warming Lube
Warming lube is an obvious way to keep things hot. This one from JO (H20 Warming, $12.50) has all the benefits of System JO Personal Lubricant, similar in feel and viscosity JO® H2O Warming is a water-based personal lubricant designed to supplement the body’s natural lubrication. Formulated using purely plant-based glycerin, this top-selling lubricant is designed to provide a silky smooth and comforting glide with no stick or tack residue.
Heated Blankets and Fireplaces
Sometimes, it’s all about setting the mood. A heated blanket can feel amazing on your naked skin, adding a feeling of warmth and togetherness to any sensual session. Having a BDSM session close to a fireplace can also be exciting, feeling the warmth of the fire as your partner teases you. Make it a challenge, try getting as hot and sweaty as you can in a certain about of time.