They say that variety is the spice of life. So, when it comes to masturbation, what's on your plate - same old same old, or something brand new? There are many different techniques you can use to mix things up for the better. Here are seven awesome suggestions.

On the Other Hand ...

Ditch your dominant hand and try the other one. Really. It works.

It's only natural that reaching down for a wank means leading with your dominant hand. Write your name on a document? Dominant hand. Pick up a fork at a meal? Dominant hand. Some folks can barely use the other one!

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There is some science that determines how your lead hand is established, but there are many ways that people who are not naturally ambidextrous can learn to use their other hand ... but I bet masturbation doesn’t land in the literature!

In fact, giving the other hand a shake can be a very different, pleasurable experience. The stroke will be different, the pressure will be different, even the angle will be different. Plus, the whole process will take a little longer, which can actually be a good thing in terms of the final result. Until you get used to and master this manipulation, using your non-dominant hand for jerking off is probably the closest sensation to having someone else do it.

Lube or No Lube?

Folks usually fall into one of two camps: lube or no lube. Not only can the other be explored, but a third option just might add a new dimension of pleasure.

When it comes to lube and masturbation, guys seem to be either all-in or not-at-all. Sure, there are some who can mix things up, but because our self-love habits tend to be formed at a pretty young age, most guys either found the hand cream, or they didn't. There’s no right or wrong here. It's all personal preference. However, regardless of which side of the fence you stroke on, taking a trip to the other side just might liven up your play. If you’re used to going dry, drizzle a little lube on yourself and slip and slide your way to sexy times. If you usually get slick, mix things up by experiencing all of the sensitivity your bare skin has to offer during a dry session. If you find you like both, a third option can be experimenting with different types of lube for different sensations. Silicone, water-based, heating, cooling - there are many fantastic possibilities!

Read: 7 Ways to Incorporate More Lube Into Sex With Yourself

Let It Go!

Sex products that focus on penis pleasure are one of the biggest markets being developed today. Exploring new toys can provide new masturbation thrills.

Saying that something is “next level” is fairly cliched these days. However, when it comes to sex toys, we are in an age where next-level doesn’t even cut it. Pleasure products have upped the solo sex game so much, and it is only getting better. Recent years have seen a boom in the quality of sexual devices, but also in sophistication. Now, we barely have to control our sex toys. Some even offer an entirely hands-free experience! Having your hands free to roam your body or enjoy other entertainment while your junk is significantly pleasured is an erotic dream. Also, hands-free products are a tremendous advancement for folks who have dexterity considerations and may have difficulty manipulating other devices.

Read: The Rise of Penis Pleasure Devices

Take It to the Edge

When you have some time to put into your self-love schedule, edging can draw your pleasure out and make it unbelievable.

Do you ever get the feeling that sex is sometimes a rush to the finish? We often put so much emphasis on reaching orgasm that the sensations leading up to that moment of ecstasy are sometimes forgotten. Think about it: what do you really love about sex? Is it the final, glorious but short-lived destination or all of the sights, sounds, and sensuality of the journey? If your vote falls with the latter, you definitely need to try edging. As a practice, edging is based as much on patience and control as it is on just enduring. Teaching yourself the ability to pull back from the brink of orgasm is a challenging - and a very rewarding discipline. Be prepared to think of your body and your approach to sex in a very different way. Different people use different methods to help skirt the edge of orgasm during masturbation. You could remove your hands from your pleasure centers entirely. You could use a toy, but then slow down the vibration or reduce the suction. You could move your focus from one hot spot to another. The possibilities are endless and can lead you to endless erotic experiences.

Read: 9 Tips for Playing Along the Edge of Orgasm

Find a New Path to Pleasure

Countless different sensations are just a few inches away from your front fun. Take a trip on the back road of uncharted sexual adventure.

Let’s be honest: you can’t read a sex advice article these days without some mention of ass fun. There are a couple good reasons for that: anal pleasure is no longer a taboo subject and, well, it can feel fantastic! However, more often than not, anal sex is most frequently connected to partnered sex. No butts about it, though, anal pleasure is a wonderful addition to masturbation all on its own. One of the great things about playing with your bum is that there are many different possibilities to explore. Inside and out there are many different ways to stimulate your butt cheeks, perineum, anus, prostate and more. If it feels great, touch the outside skin, and experiment with and without lube. If you’re going in for some sexy penetration, be sure to use lots of slippery liquid. As a bonus, having fun with your own ass can have great effects when it comes to partnered sex. You will understand what you do and do not enjoy back there on your own body (and can communicate that) and you will have a better idea of what might feel good for your partner when they invite you in the back way.

Read: The 5 Rules of Anal Play for Straight Men

Other Roads Less-Traveled

Your body has countless nerve-endings, some of which you might never think to touch while you stimulate your penis.

For many folks, masturbation is rushed and entirely focused on our genitals. It has often been reduced to being a utilitarian act, carried out with a “get ‘er done” mentality. So, our hands just head south by instinct. Unfortunately, with such driven hands, many different sexy hot spots are being missed. Our whole body is one big bag of sensuality waiting to be explored! So, instead of reaching down impulsively, let those hands take some side trips. When you become aroused, touch parts of your body that you have never touched in a sexual way before - scalp, armpits, nipples, the soles of your feet - what else can you think of? Your body has a lot of pleasure to offer, you just need to find it.

Withdraw from the Spank Bank

Porn and erotica are fantastic fodder for masturbatory fun, but the most powerful images are probably right there in your mind.

Finding sexual content has never been easier. Sexy scenes are splashed across both mainstream and porn media. Podcasts, blogs, books - there is so much hot stuff out there to enjoy, it has become commonplace for people to automatically turn to some kind of porn for their self-love release. However, let’s remember the power of our brains and how we can use use them to recall our past experiences. Making a withdrawal from the spank bank can provide a great change of pace if your searches and bookmarks are getting a little stale.

That's it. You're dismissed. Go masturbate.

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