The Best Times of Day To Have Sex

You’re probably familiar with the classic idea that the most fun in the bedroom happens “after dark,” but that isn’t always feasible. While some nights are free enough for a romp under the covers, others are jam-packed with more responsibilities—and sleep of course. So why not branch out and experiment with having sex at different times of the day? After all, if most of your sexual experiences have happened at night, you may be pleasantly surprised by how much more energy and vigor you’ll feel having sex at a different time. 

Given the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we know this experiment is easier said than done. But never fear; we’re here to give you some tips and guidance on finding your new favorite time to get it on. 

Consider Your Typical Week

Before letting your imagination run wild, it’s important to take stock of what a typical week looks like for you and your partner. We know that no two people’s schedules are the same, so it can be helpful to start this process by asking yourself some key questions about your week. Here’s some inspiration to get you started.

• What days of the week do you usually work? 
• How many hours do you work per day? 
• What does your partner’s week typically look like? 
• Do you have a family or dependents you need to take care of after work? 
• Are your weekends typically free? 
• Do you have pockets of free time throughout your week? 
• Do you work from home or at an office? 
• Is your work physically and/or mentally demanding?
• When do you feel the most tired throughout the day? 
• When do you feel the most energized?

Once you’ve asked yourself these questions, the next step is to communicate with your partner. Let them know you’re eager to experiment with having sex at different times of the day. If they’re into the idea, ask them these same questions. Talking through the similarities and differences between both of your schedules will play a huge role in setting actionable goals for sexual experimentation. Once you have a solid understanding of what pockets of time are mutually available for you and your partner, you’re ready to make some plans. 

Try Morning Sex

Can you think of a better way to start the day? While your ability to experiment with morning sex will vary heavily depending on your schedule and lifestyle (specifically, whether or not you have kids), it’s definitely worth carving out some time to get it on before noon. But why morning sex? Turns out, there are several unique benefits to having sex early in the day.

For men, testosterone is the hormone with the strongest impact on sex drive. This hormone is usually higher earlier in the day, before tapering down throughout the afternoon and night. This means that many guys can feel even more turned on for morning sex. Research has also shown that these higher levels of testosterone can be associated with stronger erections that last longer. 

Enjoy an Afternoon Delight

It’s not just the mornings, there are also plenty of reasons to heat things up later on in the day—especially if your partner is female. While every person’s libido will have its unique ebbs and flows, two crucial hormones tend to peak in the afternoon for many women. Estrogen is the first of these hormones; it’s important for promoting vaginal lubrication and sex drive. Another hormone that peaks in the afternoon for women is cortisol, commonly known as the stress hormone. And while stress is often one of the biggest libido killers, this afternoon spike is usually more subtle and serves to increase energy. 

Don’t Write Off Nighttime Sex

We’ve given you reasons to try heating things up “before dark,” but nighttime sex is an oldie and still a goodie! Experimenting with having sex at different times of the day doesn’t mean we should forget about nighttime. For many couples, the evening is the first time in the whole day that they can finally get a moment to themselves. And even with all the planning in the world, plans can shift unexpectedly. But don’t worry—nighttime sex is never a consolation prize.

In fact, research suggests that the chemicals your brain releases during sex could improve the quality of your sleep. Hormones like oxytocin promote a feeling of well-being and can help people who tend to feel anxious at night relax into a refreshing sleep. 

You’ve Got Time

One of the best things about this form of sexual experimentation is that you have time to test things out. Many people may have more opportunities to have morning or afternoon sex while on vacation or on weekends. Alternatively, you may be used to having sex earlier in the day and might want to experience more nighttime sex. The good news is that this strategy helps improve your sex life by working with your schedule instead of against it. While it may take some planning, approaching this experiment intentionally can help you and your partner follow through on your plans and (ultimately) have more fun together.

Speaking of fun, you may want to try gamifying this experiment by making steamy and spontaneous plans with your partner. If you usually have date nights, why not plan a date morning complete with sex and sleeping in? Or maybe you could enjoy some mid-day fun on a random day off. Not only would this experiment help you both connect sexually, but it can also open the door for more communication and intimacy overall.

The moral of the story is that there’s no universal best time of day to have sex. That’s because everyone’s bodies and libidos are different and can be influenced by a wide variety of factors including hormones, health conditions, mental health, individual preference, and beyond. That’s why we’re emphasizing the value of this strategy as an experiment. By branching out and experiencing sexual pleasure at different points of your day, you may discover something new about your partner’s libido—or even your own. We hope these tips help you and your partner stop wondering and start exploring.