Every time a new year comes around, a lot of us start making resolutions for self-improvement. For example, some people resolve to lose weight or get in shape, others vow to quit smoking, and yet others plan to get their financial houses in order. As you ponder your own resolutions for 2018, here's one more that you might wish to adopt: resolve to have better sex this year.

How exactly might you accomplish this? Research offers some insight. Here are eight scientifically-backed suggestions for enhancing your sex life in 2018.

1. Be more vocal during sex. Research has found that people who make the most noise in bed tend to be the most sexually satisfied. Why is that, you ask? First, moaning and groaning help convey what you like and what feels good--and by communicating this information to your partner, it increases the odds that you'll get what you want. Second, these noises signal appreciation for a partner's efforts--plus they have the potential to enhance your partner's sexual arousal.

2. Experiment with sex toys. A lot of women and men say they have previously used vibrators during sex. More importantly, those who use these toys not only tend to report greater sexual satisfaction, they also report better sexual functioning. This is probably due, in part, to the fact that vibrators and other sex toys are an easy way of interjecting novelty and excitement into one's sex life.

3. Do your Kegels. A lot of people think that Kegel exercises are a female thing, likely because they were originally developed for women; however, it turns out that the benefits of Kegels aren't restricted to persons of one gender. Studies have found that Kegel exercises offer a wide range of sexual benefits to women and men alike. Research suggests that Kegels also have the potential to treat and prevent numerous sexual difficulties.

4. Remind yourself that "sex" isn't just one thing. Research reveals that the more activities people engaged in the last time they had sex, the more likely they were to have an orgasm--a finding that held for both women and men. Perhaps you've heard the old saying that "variety is the spice of life?" Well, this research suggests that variety just might be the spice of your sex life, too.

5. Watch how much you drink. Lots of people consume alcohol as an aphrodisiac. This isn't surprising given that, when consumed in small quantities, alcohol can indeed stimulate sexual desire. However, too much booze is a recipe for sexual problems. Being drunk can create a range of temporary sexual difficulties, such as making it harder to become--and stay--aroused and to reach orgasm. Chronic alcohol abuse is linked to the development of persistent sexual problems.

6. Instead of going right to sleep after sex, try spooning or cuddling. Research has found that--regardless of gender--the more time people spend on after-sex affection, the happier they are with both their sex lives and relationships. What this tells us is that it's not just what you do during sex that matters; what you do afterwards is clearly important, too.

7. Focus on quality, not quantity of sex. Most people think they'd be happier if they were having sex more often, but research suggests that this might not be the case in reality. In a study in which people tried to double the amount of sex they were having, it turned out that couples who forced themselves to do it more often were less happy in the end. It's not good when sex starts to feel like a chore, so don't get too hung up on sexual frequency--focus more on making sure that the sex you're having is good (something you can accomplish by adopting the other suggestions on this list).

8. Touch each other more. Non-sexual, intimate touch is one of the keys to a happy and healthy relationship. Masters and Johnson discovered this long ago in their pioneering sex therapy work in the 1960s. In fact, they found that intimate touch can actually help resolve a wide range of sexual difficulties because it promotes relaxation, increases feelings of bondedness, and enhances communication. Learn more about the power of touch and ways that you can incorporate more of it into your relationship here.

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Image Source: 123rf.com/Marek Uliasz

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