If you have a low sex drive, it’s easy to feel embarrassed. If you’re married or have a serious partner(s), you might even struggle with guilt or shame.
However, dealing with a low sex drive (libido) is more common than you might think. About one in five men, and even more women, experience low libido throughout their lives.
It’s important to first make sure there isn’t an underlying medical condition impacting your sex drive. If you’ve met with your physician and ruled out anything chemically impacting your drive then there are things you can do to increase your sex drive to experience more personal desire and enjoyment.
Let’s take a look at some things that help boost sex drive, so you can start making changes and putting them into practice.
You Are What You Eat
Your diet can have a greater impact on your sex drive than you probably realize. Some foods can actually lower your libido. Some of the most problematic offenders include saturated fats, soy, and foods high in sodium.
On the other hand, there are certain foods that can help boost your libido. Foods like red meat, pine nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables could help make improvements. High flavonoid foods might help improve sexual dysfunction, as well. So, don’t be afraid to enjoy plenty of tea, cocoa, and peppers!
Exercise
Most people understand there are plenty of physical (and mental) health benefits to regular exercise. However, staying active can also improve your sex drive.
Not only will exercise give you more energy and boost your mood, but it can also improve your self-image and esteem, as well as your sympathetic nervous system activity. When you feel better about yourself and you’re taking care of your body, your sex drive is more likely to naturally be more stable.
Manage Your Mental Health
It’s easy to assume that a low sex drive is a physical problem. While that might be true on the surface, it’s not uncommon for a mental health issue to be causing your sex drive to be sluggish.
Unfortunately, having a low sex drive and dealing with anxiety can feel like a vicious cycle, especially if you’re embarrassed or feel guilty. You might be worried that you’re disappointing your partner, or sad that you don’t have the same drive you used to. Those things can fuel anxiety and depression. When your mental health suffers, your sex drive suffers.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to improve your mental well-being and help your sex drive, too. In most cases, practicing self-care, finding a support system, and being more mindful throughout your day can help.
If you’re really struggling, it’s worth it to seek out professional help. Talking to a therapist can make a big difference. Not only will they help you get to the root of your anxiety and/or depression, but they can help you work on effective strategies to manage your symptoms.
Get More Sleep
There’s no denying that we live in a busy world. While the National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get 7-9 hours of sleep each night, hectic schedules, mental health issues, and just about everything in between can often cause that recommendation to feel impossible.
Unfortunately, a lack of sleep can lead to a variety of health issues, including low libido. Your body needs a certain amount of sleep to function properly. Not only will you feel tired and fatigued without it, but your body won’t respond to things the way it should.
If you want to get more sleep, improve your sleep hygiene. Go to bed at the same time each night, avoid caffeine or alcohol later in the day, and stop using electronic devices at least an hour before bed. Having a low libido isn’t your fault, and there’s nothing to feel guilty about.
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If you’re ready to increase your sex drive and you’re concerned your mental health may be holding you back, Contact us to set up a complimentary consultation with our Hayley Evans who specializes in Sex Therapy. Learn more about what a Sex Therapist is from this post. Serenity Experiential Family Therapy Center offers therapy services in Colorado.