If Your Sex Life Is More Stale Than Steamy, It’s Time to Try ‘the Pancake’

There’s nothing wrong with sticking to a routine. With a million and one things on our to-do list, having a predictable practice in place helps keep us sane. And if we’re being honest, a tried-and-tested method is usually the best way to get the job done (if you catch our drift). But if your go-to moves in the bedroom are starting to feel more stale than steamy, then it might be time to shake things up—just a tad.

And no, we’re not talking about getting out the pink fuzzy handcuffs. Instead, we’re turning to health and sexuality writer August McLaughlin, who’s book Girl Boner: The Good Girl’s Guide to Sexual Empowerment is all about encouraging women to embrace their bodies and sexuality on their own terms.

In this enlightening read, there’s an entire section dedicated to different sexual positions. “New experiences bring a sense of novelty, which stimulates the production of feel-good brain chemicals,” McLaughlin explains.

Before visions of the Kama Sutra enter your brain, rest assured that McLaughlin’s suggestions are way more achievable than that. (Think: handy diagrams and explanations to avoid any mishaps.)

In fact, she says that trying out new positions in the bedroom can help tackle any specific problems you might be having—whether that’s physical (like back pain) or sexual (like wanting more stimulation in a certain area).

For the former, McLaughlin suggests giving the pancake a go. Another one of her favorites? The yab yum, which is designed for heightened intimacy. And don’t be afraid to use props like pillows and rolled-up towels to get into more comfortable positions. Whatever you do, don’t forget to incorporate what she considers to be the most underrated sex accessory—lube. (More on that here.)

“The more you explore, the more you know,” she says. Hey, variety is the spice of life, after all.