# Aside from sex, what physical sensation makes you feel good? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 21, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425 "2013-11-21T14:03:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/21 "2013-11-21T16:50:04Z")
Coming home from work, removing my shoes and socks, and scratching my calves where the sock elastic was the tightest. Rubbing and scratching my wife. Hell, any form of touching her. As in like “the very act of putting my arm around her waist” or “holding hands” or whatever… no matter the type of touch, it all feels physically and psychologically very satisfying. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/22 "2013-11-21T16:54:06Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > After trekking, or camping, several days without bathing, to finally climb into a shower and emerge a cleansed being. It’s an awesome feeling! Second this one (plus eleventy). I often have dermatitis outbreaks, so what feels really good is not having any. No itchy dry spots, no scratching, no bleeding, just smooth normal skin. I swear, most people don’t know how good they have it. Unfortunately for my weight, eating is a sensation that feels really good even if I’m not particularly hungry. Biting and chewing things that are crunchy is especially nice. Non-sexual physical contact with my SO is wonderful - things like neck rubs, hugs, nuzzling, cuddling, spooning and so on. Most of this is so innocent we could do it in public with no embarrassment, so I put it in the non-sexual column. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/23 "2013-11-21T17:01:28Z")
Lacerating my body with paper cuts and taking a swim in the Great Salt Lake, or the Dead Sea. Falling off a tall cliff and bouncing down a scree over boulders, fallen logs, and such. The exquisite chills and muscle aches as your body responds to a really aggressive flu. Getting hit really hard in the gut with a bowling ball. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/24 "2013-11-21T17:02:51Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > My husband and daughter bought me an electric blanket and mattress pad last year. Climbing into bed when it’s already warmed up is wonderful. Before that I used hot water bottles and heating pads in the foot area, and that was nice too, but the blanket and pad is even better. > > Sometimes I put a cotton knit nightie in the dryer before I get in the shower, so afterwards I have a soft warm nightie to put on. In our cold, old Welsh holiday cottage, my papa used to sneak up before everyone’s bed time and in each bed he would put a hot water bottle with your PJs wrapped around. That felt so good. That quick undressing in the cold room and slipping on warm PJs as fast as you can. But not just that, because it’s combined with the fact that _someone else_ did it for you. Ooh just imagining that feeling now… that’s about as comforting and safe and cozy as anything can be. ETA: “geborgenheid” is the Dutch word I want, but I just can’t translate it. It means… the feeling when your dad makes you a hot water bottle. Pretty much. The other thing: when my labrador is asleep and I give her her good night kiss, and I stick my face right in her neck, behind her ears and she smells of sleepy labrador. I love that! Smelly, sleepy labrador. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/25 "2013-11-21T17:07:14Z")
Having my cat lay on my chest and feeling her purr. Sipping a nice cup of warm peppermint tea when I’m cold. Ditto a long hot shower when I’m chilly. Cuddling with my boyfriend. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/26 "2013-11-21T17:13:51Z")
Having someone roll a rolling pin over the achy muscles is my back. If you’ve never tried this, you need to. I’ve spent fortunes on massage over the years, and none of them ever compared to the job any schmoe can do with a rolling pin. Ahhhhhhhhhh! ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/27 "2013-11-21T17:17:20Z")
Crushing my enemies, seeing them driven before me, and hearing the cries of lamentation of their women. What?.. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/28 "2013-11-21T17:21:09Z")
Rubbing between my toes, then the toes themselves. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/29 "2013-11-21T17:24:22Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > I’ll go with a good scalp massage. My favorite part of a haircut. Oh, heck, yes. I used to work for a hair-care company, and I still go to a hair stylist, rather than a barber, which means that I get a shampoo at the start of every haircut. My stylist’s assistant usually gives me a lovely scalp massage as part of that. (It likely doesn’t hurt that my stylist always has very cute 20-year-old assistants… 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/30 "2013-11-21T17:25:19Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > Crawling into a bed where the electric mattress pad has had time to get the sheets and blankets nice and warm. Soooo toasty. It’s so funny that you and several others like this so much. I’m the exact opposite. There are few things in life as nice as climbing into an ice cold bed with nice smooth, crisp sheets. When I was a kid, I used to stay at my grandparents house where I got a whole king-size bed to myself. I could wake up in the middle of the night, scoot over to the other side where it was still cold, and enjoy that sensation over and over again. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/31 "2013-11-21T17:27:18Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > It’s so funny that you and several others like this so much. I’m the exact opposite. There are few things in life as nice as climbing into an ice cold bed with nice smooth, crisp sheets. When I was a kid, I used to stay at my grandparents house where I got a whole king-size bed to myself. I could wake up in the middle of the night, scoot over to the other side where it was still cold, and enjoy that sensation over and over again. +1 Warm beds only work when the air outside is freezing. _Then_ they are heaven! (IMHO, it’s a gender thing. My wife likes warmth, I like it cool. From these 2 data points, I thus drew my conclusion. 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/32 "2013-11-21T17:28:45Z")
A good crap. Besides that, the feeling of exhaustion after long, hard exercise. I enjoy 100 mile bike rides. I’ve even done a few 200+ mile rides. I must be some kind of endorphin junkie as I keep coming back for more. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/33 "2013-11-21T17:35:32Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Lacerating my body with paper cuts and taking a swim in the Great Salt Lake, or the Dead Sea. > > Falling off a tall cliff and bouncing down a scree over boulders, fallen logs, and such. > > The exquisite chills and muscle aches as your body responds to a really aggressive flu. > > Getting hit really hard in the gut with a bowling ball. You forgot ‘threadshitting’. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/34 "2013-11-21T17:38:07Z")
The feeling of a good gum massage from my Sonicare toothbrush. Plus the actual fresh breath from the toothpaste and mouthwash. ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/35 "2013-11-21T17:38:13Z")
Taking a nap in a nice warm bed with heavy covers. Really listening to a song that I enjoy a lot. Makes my my hair stand up and gives me that tingly feeling. (the reaction is sort of physical so it counts, right?) Eating desserts with lemon or cream in them. Laying down on my back and then having my cat lay down on my chest/tummy. Lightly scratching my nails across paper, side to side. I do it unconsciously now when reading books. Hot water over cold hands. Getting into a bed with flannel sheets that have just been laundered. Love bites and scratches, to the point of bruising or breaking skin respectively (have to be in the mood though or it feels bad). I like scratches and bruises in general but I don’t just go about doing that to myself…that’s how I usually get them now, so that’s what I call them. Unlike Knorf I am being serious. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/36 "2013-11-21T17:44:30Z")
The feel and smell of rain after a long dry spell. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/37 "2013-11-21T17:52:36Z")
I don’t know where to start, 1st thing in the morning going out and feeling and smelling the morning air is one of my regular favorites. Nice clean sheets after a hot shower is another. I guess it has a lot to do with your attitude but I find pleasure all through out my day with one thing or another. Just a few minutes ago I was feeling a bow I had just finished making. The even tapers, and smooth finish on the tips of my fingers gave me a noticeable rush. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/38 "2013-11-21T18:04:50Z")
One of my best feelings is usually followed by one of the worst. After a solid sleep, I’ll I’ll wake up and I’ll feel almost paralyzed by the perfection of my physical position in bed. It is supreme comfort – no need to roll over or move an arm or even twitch a finger. Everything is perfect. But eventually I have to move. The nightmare begins. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/39 "2013-11-21T18:05:27Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > You forgot ‘threadshitting’. Aw, no. That wasn’t my intent at all! ETA: Apologies to all if it seemed like that. I have no ill-will towards this thread in any way. ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425/40 "2013-11-21T18:06:10Z")
Laying down on cool sheets. Putting dry warm socks on cold wet feet. Listening to Bob Ross ([and some other sounds](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_sensory_meridian_response)) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-sex-what-physical-sensation-makes-you-feel-good/674425.md?page=3)