There could be a medical reason why your sex life is flagging such as diabetes, thyroid issues, cancer and cardiac problems, all of which can lower sexual desire. In women, nerve issues, endometriosis or other problems can cause sex to be painful. And certain medications for blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and even birth control may inhibit desire. It’s important to get a medical checkup if you are experiencing symptoms that affect your sex life. You can also ask your doctor if it’s possible to switch your medication to something without a sexual side effect.
Exercise, say experts, is one of many natural tools you can use to improve sex. Or, having a date night with your partner to remind yourself of all the reasons you adore each other and to relax by being wined and dined can be great ways to stimulate your libido. Here are some natural ways to spice up your sex life.
Make Getting in the Mood for Sex a Priority
Sometimes, having more and better sex simply requires clearing your schedule. It’s hard to be in the mood when you have a million things on your to-do list and not much time to do it. Scheduling sex might sound unromantic, but you put most of your important plans in your calendar, so why not sex? It’s best to schedule enough time to do something relaxing first rather than hopping straight into bed, since women, especially, need to be relaxed before their libido kicks in.
Work on Your Mind
If your brain is running a feedback loop of reasons you’ve picked up along the way — about how you should feel guilty about sex or maybe that your body is too fat or ugly or, well, whatever — it’s time to stop it in its tracks. Recognise the thought when it appears and change it to a more helpful one.
This helps your sex life because it has been found that people with more open attitudes about sex are better able to explore their sexuality without guilt.
Don’t Forget to Use Lubricants for Better Sex
Sex can be more pleasurable if you add a lubricant which cuts down on friction and irritation and therefore discomfort. You can buy an official lubricant from the drugstore or use a household oil like coconut oil. Don’t try to hide your need for a lubricant from your partner. Make it part of your sexual routine and have fun with it.
it has been found that people with more open attitudes about sex are better able to explore their sexuality without guilt.
Move Your Body to Improve Your Sex Life
You may not think that the exercise you do for your heart and muscles is important for good sex, but remember that blood flows to your genitals as much as to your heart. Men with erectile dysfunction (ED), for example, can sometimes reverse this problem with a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is another lifestyle factor that impacts libido. One reason is that hormone secretion is controlled by the body’s internal clock, and sleep patterns likely help the body determine when to release certain hormones related to sex. For both men and women, feeling tired when you get into bed zaps whatever libido you may have had even moments earlier. For men, getting enough sleep can boost the level of testosterone (a lower level can be associated with sexual dysfunction.
Practice Mindfulness
It may seem like sex is the ultimate practice of mindfulness, and while orgasm pretty much is, you may become distracted by random thoughts in the time leading up to that orgasm. Keeping your attention on what you’re doing and feeling is a powerful way to enhance your pleasure. Women suffering from anxiety-related sexual dysfunction significantly boosted their sexual responsiveness after being trained in mindfulness. The practice of yoga can aid your libido. Yoga postures are believed to help improve pelvic muscle tone, release tight hip joints, and boost mood, followed by breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.
Consider Acupuncture Treatments
The ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture, in which a practitioner strategically places needles in the body, can also enhance your sex life. Balancing and relaxing the body with acupuncture has long been used to boost libido.
Herbs aka Aphrodisiacs
Some herbs are used by cultures around the world as aphrodisiacs. Some are believed to stimulate nerves in your genitals; others increase levels of nitric oxide, which increases blood flow to the genitals, and the feel-good chemicals in your brain. Some of these herbs include Chinese ginseng, Cordyceps, gingko biloba, and muira puama. Drugstores and health-food stores sometimes market products for sexual health that are a combination of herbs and supplements, including the amino acid L-arginine.
Masturbate or Self-Stimulate
By experimenting on yourself, you can come to better know what satisfies you sexually — information you can then convey to your partner. For women, masturbation may have other benefits as well. Vaginal dryness and pain may be reduced when you spend time stimulating yourself. That’s why sex therapists often recommend masturbation as a tool for women having trouble reaching orgasm. You might want to add a vibrator for enhanced stimulation.
