Did you know that increased stress levels could unknowingly affect your sexual health and well being? Doctors say if you have not been feeling like it lately, it may be because your stress levels have skyrocketed.
Many may be quick to dismiss this position as the ranting of scientists; but experts are coming up with more evidence on the effect of the rigours of modern life on the male and female libido, which suggests nothing but the negative.
Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr. Tunji Ekunjimi, says stress has effects on every facet of human life, especially fertility, hence its role in reducing libido in men and women should not come as a surprise to anyone.
Ekunjimi states that those who work long hours or hold stressful jobs are more likely to express a diminished interest in sex.
“Stress is one of the major symptoms we observe in patients who complain of low libido or performance in the bedroom. They are likely to be working for long hours without much rest or sleep at night.
“Those who do not work long hours may have stressful jobs, such that they have to make decisions. Like the Chief Executive Officer of a company may not work for long, but his/her job is stressful. He/she will be under psychological stress and it will crop up during love-making,” Ekunjimi says.
The effect of stress on libido is worse in men. According to him, men are more likely to give up sex than women when they are under pressure or tension.
Ekunjimi quickly adds that this, however, does not suggest that women cope better under pressure compared to men.
He advises couples to tackle low libido headlong, adding that if not checked, it could eventually lead to erectile dysfunction.
“Once you realise that stress is affecting your family life, you must do something about it. Low libido, if not treated, may lead to erectile dysfunction, which is more serious.
“In fact, it can lead to social problems like divorce or polygamy. It will eventually affect your family. A little problem that can be managed in the bedroom can escalate if you don’t take it seriously,” the physician says further.
You need not resort to stimulants or aphrodisiacs to remedy this situation. Experts say that simple lifestyle changes like adjusting your sleep and rest pattern could do the magic.
What better time to get your groove back than this beautiful weekend! Here are some interesting activities that you can do with your spouse to right the wrong.
Workout
Thirty minutes of physical activity most days of the week works like magic. Exercise has many benefits beyond helping to raise testosterone. Exercise has been shown to increase sexual desire; no medicine has been shown to do that conclusively.
You will want a mix of cardio and weight-training exercises to get a full body workout. Exercise helps both libido and testosterone in numerous ways and can improve heart health and aid weight management.
Male sexuality is intimately related to heart health. In fact, difficulty achieving or keeping erections can be an early warning sign of heart disease, with a coronary artery disease event likely to occur two to five years after the onset of erectile dysfunction.
Weight loss can help as well; losing weight will improve testosterone and libido. Androgen, a hormone essential to normal sexual development in men, increases at a greater rate in men who lose weight. Exercise can help you meet your weight goals and as a bonus, exercising with your sex partner in a way you both enjoy can be very stimulating.
Get more sleep
Your body is a testosterone factory, with its greatest production during a night of uninterrupted sleep. Sleeping may not be the initial reason you want to be in bed, but enhancing the quality of your sleep can also enhance those other activities. Keep your sleeping space cool, dark, and inviting for both sex and sleep. Be creative and add little touches with music, candles, and textures that allow you to set a sexy mood but also support sound sleep.
Getting more sleep and exercise can help reduce stress and restore lost libido.
Reduce your calories
In line with weight loss, a diet that’s low in calories and fat, high in protein, and has a reduced amount of carbohydrate can improve testosterone and improve desire. The Mediterranean-style diet, which features plenty of fish, healthy fats (such as olive oil), whole grains, vegetables, fruits and dairy, is one such diet. Changing your diet and watching portion sizes can also help with weight management.
Tackle bad habits
Those little indulgences you secretly know are bad for you — smoking cigarettes, drinking a little too much alcohol, or even a post-dinner coffee — can add up to lost desire. Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke; drink moderately, if at all; and give up caffeine after midday to improve your sex life — and your sleep.
The prescription for reclaiming your sex life is a lot like the prescription for overall health. You’ll be looking and feeling better than ever, in bed and out, as you work on these five strategies for improving libido.
Focus on the positive
Remember those fabulous qualities you noticed in your partner when you started dating? Time and stress may have brought their less-favourable traits into sharper focus, says psychologist Elizabeth R. Lombardo, PhD. But their good qualities are probably still there.
Fixating on the negatives wouldn’t have worked in the beginning and it doesn’t work now. “In marriage, it’s easy to freeze your partner into a fixed perception. Get out of that,” says Sherrie Campbell, PhD. a marriage and family therapist in Yorba Linda, California.
Make a list of what you fell in love with and another list of good things you’ve discovered over time. “Publicly brag about those amazing qualities your partner has,” Campbell says. “Refrain from making him the brunt of a joke. Embrace his positive qualities and let him know you’ve fully got his back.”
Touch
“So many couples hold back kissing, touching, or holding each other until they have time or the desire to have sex,” says Meyers. But that’s a mistake. Researchers have found that affectionate touch boosts the body’s feel-good hormones.
Hug your partner. Hold hands. Be playful with touch.
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