Learn
to increase sex drive naturallyBut First…Why Does Sex Matter?
Sex
Keeps You Healthy
It’s
common knowledge that sex can ward off illness, but did you know that having
sex once a week can improve your immune function by 30
percent? According to a study at Wilkes University, those who have sex
once or twice a week have more illness-combatting immunoglobin in their saliva
than their sexless counterparts.
Plus,
sex is a workout. It burns calories – at least 85 an hour – and keeps your
heart healthy. A 20-year study recently revealed that people who had sex more
than twice a week were half as likely to have a fatal heart attack than those
who got lucky less than once a month.
Sex
Keeps You Confident
Sex is an
integral component of intimate relationships with a loved one, and it can do
wonders for your self-esteem. Dr. Gina Ogden, a sex
and marriage therapist,agrees with this: “One of the
reasons people say they have sex is to feel good about themselves. Great sex
begins with self-esteem. … If the sex is loving, connected, and what you want,
it raises it.” So the next time you’re feeling down and out, the
intimacy of sex may give you the turnaround you’re looking for.
Sex
Relieves Stress
Sex can
alleviate the tension and anxieties associated with long and hectic work
schedules. Sometimes it’s necessary to take your mind off of the things that
cause you the most stress, and sex can give you that much-needed reprieve.
One
study has found that diastolic blood pressure is often lower in people who live
together and have sex often, and a Scottish report showed that sexually
active people respond better to high-risk scenarios.
8
Natural Ways to Boost Sex Drive
So now
that we’ve established that sex is a healthy activity that can be a great
benefit, here are some of the best ways to get you in the mood:
1. Sleep
It may
seem counteractive – you’re trying to play in the bed, not sleep in it, right?
Well, sleep is actually one of the most important factors to consider if you’re
trying to improve your sex drive.
Getting
plenty of sleep is necessary in order to maintain normal stress
levels and proper functioning of the body; if you don’t get enough sleep,
then your whole body suffers, including the organs responsible for keeping your
sex drive intact and working appropriately. Getting 6-8 hours of sleep each
night is ideal.
2.
Exercise
Regular
exercise increases blood flow in the body, particularly to
those organs involved in sex. In addition, exercise can improve how your
body looks, bettering self-esteem and confidence levels. If you’re confident
about how your body looks, you won’t be as hesitant to take control and make
the move in the bedroom.
3. Give
or Receive a Massage
A
massage is an especially great way to get the juices flowing for two reasons.
First, it involves intimate interaction with another person; all that rubbing
and pressurizing can really be a turn on. Secondly, it helps reduce
stress and tension in the body, and it’s particularly helpful after a long
day of work.
Whip
out the oils, candles (see below), and some soft music to get your special
someone in the mood.
4. Eat
Well
Much
like exercise, eating well can lead to weight loss and allow you to
feel good about your body; overconsumption and subsequent weight gain can lead
to blood vessel diseases that can block or slow the flow of blood to the
genitals.
In
addition, there are certain foods that have the ability to the increase the
production of enzymes that improve sex drive. Bananas, oysters, and avocados
are just a few examples of foods that can spice up your sex life.
5. Relax
Meditate,
listen to music, read a book – find time to relax in order to
decrease stress levels. High levels of stress increase the production of
cortisol, a hormone that causes testosterone levels to plummet. Try relaxing
for at least 15 minutes a day to reduce cortisol levels and improve
your
sex drive – you might be surprised by the results.
6. Get
Your Smells Right
Sometimes
the right smell can get people in the mood. Candles can be pretty romantic,
too, so that’s always a great place to start. The National Association for
Holistic Aromatherapy describes aromatherapy as,
“The
art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants
to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. It is
an art and science which seeks to explore the physiological, psychological and
spiritual realm of the individual’s response to aromatic extracts as well as to
observe and enhance the individual’s innate healing process.”
If all
those candles and essential oils seem too complex for you, perhaps it may help
to invest in some nice cologne, instead.
7. Experiment
with Herbs
It
doesn’t get much more natural than this. Several herbal
remedies exist that are rumored to increase sex drive. Here are a few:
-Gingko
Biloba is an herb derived from the tree of the same name, and it’s known
to increase blood flow to the brain and sexual organs.
-Ashwaganda is
a supplement that increases energy levels and decreases the negative effects of
stress.
-Yohimbine is
an African plant known as the natural Viagra, and it’s possible that it
decreases the likelihood of impotence in men.
-Tulsi
(Holy Basil) is a popular Indian herb that boosts stamina and energy
levels, something that is particularly important when participating in
strenuous physical activities.
8.
Don’t Puff
Although
cigarettes were once glamourized in films and magazines as a mysterious and
sexy accessory, the smelly clothes, bad breath, dry mouth, and
the assortment of negative ramifications associated with smoking are
enough to turn anybody off.
Everybody
knows that smoking can cause lung cancer, but perhaps if more individuals
knew that it slows blood flow to sex organs and slashes energy levels then
there wouldn’t be so many smokers.
The
Takeaway
Sex
matters to a lot of people, not just because it feels good, but because sexual
intimacy keeps couples interested and happy. In addition, it can relieve
stress, improve immune function, help your heart, and do a whole lot of
other great things. Even though it can be hard to find the time to engage in sex,
let alone feel in the mood for it, there are ways that can help you increase
sex drive naturally without having to pop a libido-enhancing pill or avoid sex
altogether.
Photo
by Katie Tegtmeyer
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