It's time to try some new masturbation tricks — 4 tweaks will help maximize your pleasure

• It's normal to masturbate in a way that feels familiar, but switching up your routine could make you better at sex.
• Sexologist Emily Morse said simple tweaks, like a new position, toy, or way of touching yourself, can make masturbation more fun and fulfilling.
• Masturbating can also boost self-confidence, release stress, and boost feelings of happiness.

Just like the routines we have for our skincare, exercise, or meal time, a regular masturbation session can reduce stress and anxiety.

But if you stick to the same technique or schedule for months or years, you may start to act without thinking, leading to a disconnect between your mind and body, according to stress and emotional health expert Alane K. Daugherty. That's why, when it comes to self-pleasure, sex experts recommend switching up how you masturbate, especially if you've been getting off the same way since you started.

Trying a new masturbation method can help you understand yourself better and lead to more satisfying partnered sex because you know what you like, Emily Morse, a sexologist and host of the Sex with Emily podcast, told Insider.

"We're walking around disconnected from our bodies and then we wonder why we're not in the mood for sex and we're not turned on. It's because we walk around all day being harmful to our bodies, not being present, being like, 'I don't like how I look in my clothes,'" but a dedicated and explorative self-pleasure practice can change those feelings, Morse said.

Indeed, on a recent episode of actress Cara Delevingne's docuseries "Planet Sex," Delevingne goes to a masturbation class where she learns five new ways to touch herself. The class instructor, sex educator and dominatrix Lola Jean, said that the course gives people permission to masturbate in their favorite ways instead of brushing off their desires because of worries that they like the "wrong" thing. After class, Delevingne told Jean that overcoming her fear and embarrassment to try something new helped her release some of her long-held sexual shame.

Morse shared four simple tweaks someone can make right now to update their masturbation sessions, no money or trips to the sex toy store required. She suggested setting aside thirty minutes to an hour to caress your body in ways you never have before, with the expectation of learning something new about yourself and your pleasure.

Set a non-orgasm goal before you start

If someone notices that their focus on climaxing seems to be sabotaging them from doing so, Morse suggested coming up with new goals for yourself.

She said that while orgasms are great for sleep, a good mood, and stress relief, there are plenty of other reasons to spend alone time touching yourself, like feeling more creative and willing to fantasize, which can help someone reduce stress and anxiety and process trauma.

"I think that there is so much value to just exploring our bodies and knowing what might stimulate you or make your orgasm more intense. Getting curious about your pleasure and what feels good is an invaluable exercise," Morse said.

Use the opposite hand

If you use always use your dominant hand for self-pleasure, give it a break and use your other, said Morse.

This simple trick forces the brain to pay more attention to what's happening in your body since it's not used to the switch up.

Indeed, switching hands while you do any task, like brushing your teeth, writing, or eating, appears to lead to greater mindfulness, according to the Association for Psychological Science.

Switch up the position you're in while touching yourself

According to Morse, most people with vulvas either masturbate while laying on their backs or stomachs because they find those positions best for orgasming.

She suggested tabling your orgasm from time to time and flipping over into the opposite position. You could also try sitting or standing to see how it feels, Morse said.

While doing this, experiment with your fingertips, stroking the body in areas you otherwise may not, like the side of the breast, nipples, or stomach.

"I think it just takes a little bit of breathing and paying attention on our senses and realizing that we can expand pleasure even just by thinking about what feels good right now," Morse said.

Repurpose your favorite vibrator

If you tend to reach for a specific vibrator during a self-pleasure session, give it new life, Morse said.

She suggested turning on your vibrator and then slowly and gently tracing it along your neck, arms, inner legs, stomach, or anywhere else you're curious about.

"Our entire body is an erogenous zone. It's important to be open to what can feel good and what is possible. It also gets our minds off of just hitting and quitting it," which can lead to a more fulfilling sex life in the long run, Morse said.