Libido is something that ebbs and flows throughout our lives, owing largely to our ever-changing hormone levels, and often declining with age. Although it’s perfectly natural to experience a dip in your sex drive as you settle further into a long relationship or pass the age of thirty, people aren’t quite ready to accept that their days of insatiability are over – and the good news is that, for the most part, they don’t have to be.
There are many ways to boost your libido, from changing the foods you eat to shaking up your routine – and with a little extra effort, you could soon be feeling back on form. Mental health issues can greatly impact your sex drive, too, so getting any conditions under control will give you an added boost.
Take a look at our top five tips to you get back on the right track and reignite your sex life once and for all.
Get a medication review
Like it or not, some medications can have a detrimental impact on your sex drive, and your staying power, too. This is known to be particularly true of anti-anxiety medication and anti-depressants, as well as blood pressure tablets.
We’re not suggesting you come off medication entirely for the sake of your sex life, unless it is safe to do so – but seeing your doctor for a review and discussing the side-effects you are experiencing can pave the way for a treatment overhaul. Less impactful but equally effective alternatives are often available, so it’s important to keep the lines of communication open in order to find the right solution for you.
Other conditions such as heart disease and diabetes don’t just come with physical symptoms – they can also result in prolonged emotional strain and low self-esteem. If this sounds like you, then it’s time to revisit your GP again to ensure that you are on the most effective treatment to keep it under control – the better your condition is managed, the heavier the weight off your mind.
Feeling back in control of your health can have a knock-on effect in other areas of your life, too, leaving you more confident in the bedroom and relieved of the stress and worry that was bringing you down.
Introduce sex toys
Making the time for self-pleasure can have an important role to play when it comes to boosting your sex drive – and your sex life. Taking the time to indulge yourself can help to keep sex at the forefront of your mind and will get you all fired up to return it to the agenda – and adding sex toys into the mix can add a little extra excitement. Not only that, but they can help spice things up in the bedroom between you and your partner, too. Sites like Pabo.com have a great selection to choose from.
Practise preventative health
Physical activity, quality sleep and balanced nutrition are all crucial elements of your life to consider if you’re keen to get your libido back to firing on all cylinders. They might not be a cure all, but getting all of these areas under control can make a huge difference to the way you feel in yourself.
Feeling unfit or overweight are sure-fire ways to put you off getting intimate and may well make you want to hide away in over-sized clothing. And as for sex? You can forget about it – unless, of course, it’s with the lights off.
Implementing a regular fitness routine and eating a healthy, balanced diet will help you to look and feel your best, filling you with energy and confidence. And don’t forget those all important eight hours, because there is nothing like falling asleep halfway through an intimate session to kill the vibe.
Break from routine
The repetitive and monotonous treadmill of life can be enough to get anyone down at times – especially if you’re not making time for yourself and for your partner. Relentless days of commuting to your 9-5, working late, then arriving home exhausted will quickly pour water on your sex life, so set out time for date nights and weekends away together to reignite that spark. Make the effort to surprise each other with a romantic fine dining dinner at that newly opened Michelin-star eatery or drinks at your favourite champagne bar – whatever it is the two of you have always enjoyed doing together – but don’t forget to throw one or two wild cards into the mix, too, to ramp up the excitement levels a little bit.
It’s not about scheduling sex, but about making the time to reconnect. The rest, more often than not, will come naturally.
Beat the stress
Stress is the number one reason many people’s libidos plummet, and whether you’re excessively busy with work or dealing with a bereavement, it’s little wonder that it has the ability to pour cold water on your sex life.
Stress management is crucial here, so make time for yourself each morning or evening to practice some self-care. Whether that’s meditating, doing a yoga class, going for a run or watching an episode of your favourite TV show, making the time to decompress and unwind is vital.
Your sex life isn’t gone forever; most of the time, it just needs a little encouragement. And with a little extra effort, you’ll be back on track in no time.