Summer represents freedom, recreation, and relaxation. It's also the sexiest season of the year. Many men and women will sit on the sidelines as spectators to all the sexiness that takes place during the summer months because they simply don't know how to be participants.
The fact of the matter is everyone has sex appeal, but not everyone knows how to dial it up when desired, or manage it with optimal effects. This article offers tips on how you can boost your sexiness level in the heat of summer.
EXERCISE
When the sun is shining bright, and the temperatures rise, the number one component to achieving maximum sex appeal is optimal health.
I've been an avid runner for years and I can tell you that the streets are littered with runners attempting to get lean during the summer. Ditto for the attendance at local gyms. Being - and staying healthy - should not be a seasonal thing. Those who adhere to a consistent exercise regimen have a head start on increasing their sex appeal. Others will have to play catch-up. The benefits of consistent aerobic exercises, yoga, or both will set you on the right track with fast results.
RADIANCE
Both men and women are subconsciously trying to achieve radiance in the summer heat. The extended, sunshine filled days keep us under a longer spotlight that exposes our skin (especially when we tend to show more of it) to greater scrutiny.
Because we've addressed exercise as the number 1 priority in our effort to increase summer sex appeal, we can now reap the benefits of all that sweating: the deep cleansing of our skin which makes it glow. Vigorous sweating improves the tone and texture of the skin which makes it healthy and radiant looking.
You can enhance the radiance by drinking more water and increasing your vitamin A intake, which is one of the most important components of skin health. One of the best places to get it is low-fat dairy products in addition to the following fruits and vegetables: artichokes, beans (black, red, and pinto), prunes, and pecans.
WOMEN'S MAKE-UP
Once you have improved the health and the radiance of your skin, show it off! Summer is not a time for that plastered, ceramic look. Wear minimal make-up only to enhance; less is more in summer. Skin that breathes and is inviting to the eye, and soothing to the touch is the goal you should be aiming for.
MEN'S CLOTHES
There's no better time to take a break from over worn jeans than the summer. Trade them in for cotton trousers. On steamy days and night time affairs, upgrade to the relaxed look and feel of linen. Relaxed is the operative word. A stylish, light weight jacket or cream colored linen blazer is essential for evenings out. Be careful with sandals; opt for the sandal/shoe combo. They are more sophisticated and can be dressed up or down. Flat sandals are a no-no unless worn with very downscale casual attire or swim wear.
Also, women love colors. They especially love colorful personalities. What better way to create that appearance than by adding some colorful shirts to your summer wardrobe? Because many men associate pastels and brighter colors with feminine qualities, many men are hesitant to be bold and daring. Snap out of it! Summer is the precise time to be bold and daring. Colors enhance your sexual aura and make you more magnetic.
WOMEN'S CLOTHES
I can't say this enough: being sexy is all about being comfortable with one's body, and having a healthy attitude about one's self. Nothing you can wear will take the place of it.
That being said, if you are a pear shaped woman (which most are; smaller bust with wider hips) you can balance your bottom-heavy figure by choosing dresses that skim over the lower half of the body. Fuller skirts also disguise heavy hips, while showing off the waist. A fitted halter or strapless silhouette -- which accents a trim upper body -- is very flattering for bottom-heavy figures.
HIGH HEELS
Hands down, there's nothing sexier than a vibrant woman wearing a sexy dress with a pair of sexy high heels. The combination (and the idea of a woman wearing only 4 items of clothing) is irresistible to men. High heels lengthen a woman's legs; making them appear taller and more statuesque. They also cause women to take more calculated steps which add an air of sophistication and confidence, in addition to creating a perched effect on their buttocks.
Recently there's been much discussion (or press) about the negative effects of consistently wearing high heels. It has been linked to a plethora of foot problems and knee osteoarthritis. The good news is that research has shown that high heels which are wider at the bottom than stilettos (the skinniest of high-heeled shoes), provide a happy medium.
One doctor, Dr. Maria Cerruto says 2ins high heels can help improve pelvic floor muscles.
Dr Cerruto, a urologist and self-professed lover of high heels, set out to prove they were not as bad for women's health as some suggest. Her study of 66 women under 50 found those who held their foot at a 15 degree angle to the ground - the equivalent of a two inch heel - had as good posture as those who wore flat shoes. And, crucially, they showed less electrical activity in their pelvic muscles suggesting they were at an optimum position, which could improve their strength and ability to contract.
Pelvic floor muscles assist sexual performance and satisfaction, and also provide vital support to the pelvic organs, which include the bladder, bowels and uterus. But they often weaken after pregnancy and childbirth, and as women get older. Dr Cerruto said: "Women often have difficulty in carrying out the right exercises for the pelvic zone and wearing heels could be the solution.
Long term studies aside, high heels should be worn in moderation (as much as I love to see women in them). Ultimately, if you are successful in adding summer sizzle to your sex appeal, just remember that the way you feel about yourself will create the sexiest allure of all. The healthier you appear to others, the more robust your sex appeal will become. Once you've got the hang of it, you can stretch out your summertime sex appeal for seasons far and beyond.
Gian Fiero is an educator, speaker and consultant who specializes in business development, career planning, and personal growth issues.
