Lost that lusty feeling? Has your sex life deserted you? Take heart – it happens to most of us at any stage of life. Research reports that 32 percent of women and 15 percent of men lack interest in having sex regularly.
Yet sex, intimacy and closeness are essential elements for our overall well-being – and our happiness, so here are some tips to revive your flagging libido and get you in the mood for getting it on.
#1. Eat the foods of desire
Aphrodisiac foods have been around for thousands of years and are well-known to inspire lust. As a bonus these aphrodisiacs are natural and easily obtainable from your supermarket – so they’re definitely worth a try.
Most aphrodisiac foods boost libido and increase blood flow to all those important regions of the body. For blokes, garlic does the trick and for women, a cup of coffee or a glass of red wine is reputed to get you in a frisky mood. For both men and women, foods such as dark chocolate, ginger, spinach, and green tea also help get the blood flowing.
People with higher levels of zinc reportedly have a stronger libido than those with lower levels of zinc in their system. Pine nuts (think pesto), and oysters (no surprises here) are both high in zinc.
Stay away from salty foods as they’re likely to have a reverse effect.
#2. Get a good night’s sleep
A hectic lifestyle of juggling work, family, friends and other commitments can mean there aren’t enough hours in a day – so we sleep less. Or we don’t sleep well. That means our relationships suffer.
Fatigue is the number one libido-zapper. Who has the energy to be intimate when we’re exhausted?
A good night’s sleep energizes and focuses us and can improve our sex life. Feeling rested means we’re more relaxed and playful and we’re more likely to want to get it on.
Simply put, more sleep equals more desire for sex. Go to bed earlier, or stay in bed later – and reap the rewards!
#3. Use essential oils
Essential oils – compounds extracted from plants – are another natural aphrodisiac used throughout human history. Essential oils emit gentle and relaxing aromas, and these oils can be used in diffusions, sprays, or applied to the skin, when combined with a carrier oil.
Sandalwood essential oil is amazing when it comes to libido because it’s good at balancing testosterone levels in both men and women, making it a powerful and natural aphrodisiac. Try adding a few drops of sandalwood oil into your moisturiser or shaving lotion to not only smell good, but to improve your hormones and libido.
Ylang ylang, sandalwood, rose and jasmine are the go-to oils to use for sensual massage for both men and women and they’re proven to increase sexual desire. Look for these ingredients when buying a massage oil and then offer to give your partner a stimulating massage.
#4. Take a moment to de-stress
Stress, like lack of good sleep, also saps our sexual energy and impacts our sex life. Stress is part of life, but too much mental or emotional tension is adverse to our hormones, mental health, and well-being. Cortisol is the main stress hormone and if elevated levels of cortisol are being produced for a prolonged period of time, they rob your other sex hormones. A lower quantity of sex hormones equals lower libido.
Not to mention, if we’re stressed, we tend to feel overwhelmed and bad-tempered, so we’re not much fun to be around – and who wants to be intimate with a cranky partner? And vice versa.
Reduce your stress levels by slowing down; take a hot bath, meditate, delegate or let go of some of your responsibilities. Spend time with your partner in order to connect and communicate. Give each other that sensual massage mentioned above to relax and jumpstart your intimacy.
Paradoxically, while stress takes a toll on our sex drive, sex is itself a stress buster, especially for men. Taking the leap could unleash your enthusiasm and get you back on track for wanting more!
#5. Work up a sweat
Getting sweaty at the gym can have an impact on your sex life and make for more sweaty encounters in the bedroom.
Exercise induces the release of endorphins, known as the feel-good hormones, and has been shown to increase sexual arousal or even orgasm in women. Endorphins also reduce stress, which is a major destroyer of sex drive.
Not only is exercise a stress buster – it helps you feel better and more comfortable about your body which inherently makes you feel sexier.
Be aware that too much exercise (like too much red wine) can have the opposite effect and inhibit sex drive.
There’s nothing sexier than happy, healthy hormones
Flagging bedroom hormones can be a complex issue – it’s important to talk to your doctor to ensure there are no underlying medical issues slowing you down.
If not? Eat, exercise, smell, and relax your way to boosting those bedroom hormones.
