Sex Toys, Role Play & Cups of Tea: How Brits Rekindled their Sex Lives in 2020

You Can’t Lock Down Love: More than Nine Million Brits admit to having more sex in 2020, study finds

·       A further one in ten UK couples had “more exciting sex” during the pandemic

·       7.9 million Brits have invested in sexy underwear in the last 12 months

·       The poll revealed that more than a third of Brits (37%) have turned to cups of tea to help rekindle the spark between themselves and their other half in 2020

·   Role play and sex toys like the sucking silicone vibrators were also new on the agenda for some, with one in ten (10%) admitting they’d been more adventurous with their sexual antics over the last 12 months

A global pandemic certainly seems to have failed to put a dampener on our love lives, with more than nine million Brits revealing they had more sex in the last year than they had been previously, according to a recent poll.

The study of more than 2,000, by European lingerie specialists Hunkemöller, examined the impact of the lockdowns on the nation’s relationships, as well as quizzing UK adults on their underwear purchases over the past 12 months, in a bid to find out how a year unlike any other has impacted intimacy.

One in ten (9%) revealed their sex life had become more exciting over the course of the past year, with a fifth of UK men stating they were enjoying more sex during the lockdowns (19%), compared to fifteen per cent of women. 

However, the past twelve months or so led to many couples spending more time together than ever before, putting a noticeable strain on even the most steadfast relationships.

More than one in five (22%) of those surveyed said the pressure and stress of the pandemic had meant they’d had less sex over the last year according to the research.

The nation’s capital was crowned the UK’s sexiest city, with forty-three per cent of Londoners enjoying more sex, and a more exciting sex life in 2020. Incidentally, Londoners were also found to have been most likely to purchase sexy underwear sets during that timeframe (25%).

Unfortunately for those residing in the Northern city of Manchester, 2020 was quite the opposite, with less sex and less exciting sex lives for almost half (43%) of those living there.

Despite not making an appearance on the list of the UK’s sexiest cities, Bristol gets a notable mention as the most adventurous city, boasting the highest number of residents (18%) found to have tried something new and spiced up their sex lives in the last year. 

For many couples, the past year has highlighted the need to slow down and appreciate each other more, with nearly half (47%) electing to spend more quality time together to maintain the romance in their relationship.

Other activities favoured by Brits in a bid to rekindle the “spark” with their other half included cooking for them (37%) and enjoying romantic meals together at home (33%). Saying “I love you” more often (25%) and helping out around the house with chores (24%), showing a big romantic gesture isn’t always necessary to show your love and appreciation.

In true British fashion, the poll revealed that more than a third of Brits (37%) have turned to cups of tea to help rekindle the spark between themselves and their other half.

The survey showed that men in relationships had been particularly eager to keep the romance alive, as double the number of men (18%) had made romantic gestures in a bid to rekindle the spark in their relationship than women (9%).

Dressing up for work and social occasions may have been off the cards, but dressing up for the bedroom was not, as one in seven (15%) said they have invested in more sexy underwear in recent months. Men were found to be twice as likely to splash out on sexy underwear sets (19%) than women (11%). 

In fact, Hunkemöller themselves saw of sales of lingerie from their Private Collection double in the UK in 2020 following lockdown, when compared to sales from previous year. Role play and sex toys were also new on the agenda for some, with one in ten (10%) admitting they’d been more adventurous with their sexual antics over the last 12 months than they had been previously.

The success of these efforts has not gone unnoticed, with almost half the nation (43%) pledging to continue with these activities as the COVID-restrictions lift, and a further 46% saying they will try their hardest to keep these actions going for as long as possible. Some used a real sex doll instead.

Charlotte Davies – Global Design and Buying Director for Hunkemöller commented on the findings:

“Despite the challenges that many have faced in the last year, we’re pleased to see that so many UK couples have been making the most of their time together, with some even revealing they’ve been having better relationship experiences over the past year than ever before!

“As a brand, Hunkemöller is all about female empowerment and inclusivity, and whether they’re in a relationship, dabbling in the world of dating, or spending some much coveted time on themselves, we want every woman – and man – to look and feel their most beautiful self – especially when it comes to their underwear.

“Understandably, we were so delighted to see such a substantial rise in people making purchases over the past year from our Private Collection, a selection of more daring underwear choices that we’ve carefully designed with confidence, empowerment and seduction in mind.”