Over time, whether due to aging, stress, or being in a long term relationship, many find that their sex drive begins to decrease from what it once was. Follow these tips to increase sex drive and libido and enhance your sex life!
1. Sweat it out!
In an increasingly sedentary world, increasing your amount of physical activity is important. But did you know it could lead to a better sex life? Dr. Jennifer Landa, CMO of BodyLogicMD, boasts the many benefits to an active lifestyle in all areas, including cardio, strength, and yoga.
Cardio
It’s no secret that cardiovascular exercises such as running, biking, swimming, rollerblading, etc. are all healthy ways to improve overall health and weight management. But if that’s not enough to motivate you to take a trip to the gym, cardio also has the ability to increase the amount of beta-endorphins in the body; thus increasing heart rate and therefore blood flow to all of the right places (pssst…which you need to feel pleasure!).
Strength
Pumping iron regularly will lead to a stronger, leaner physique which may give you more confidence behind closed doors, but it also increases the amount of testosterone within the body. Given that testosterone is responsible for arousal, even the ladies will find that this is something worth sweating over.
Yoga
Unwind, clear your mind and increase your flexibility by practicing yoga! Yoga has been used for centuries as a means of exercise, relaxation, and sexual awakening.
2. Manage Stress
Stress has an uncanny way of creeping into our lives. Whether the distress stems from financial struggles, the pressure at work, or from managing life and work effectively, all can affect your sex life! Be sure properly manage your priorities to avoid unnecessary stress and to allow for more “you and me” time with your partner.
3. Eating For Pleasure
Some foods may actually be able to stimulate an increase in sex drive. Incorporate these foods into your date night dinner with your partner!
Avocado
According to University of Illinois professor of Food and Nutrition Barbara Klein, it is the Vitamin E in Avocados that may give them their aphrodisiac qualities. Sometimes called the “sex vitamin”, Vitamin E grants one the feeling of maintaining youthful vigor and energy levels (2).
Dark Chocolate
According to Dr. Oz, this sweet treat is full of bioflavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants that have the ability to unclog blood vessels for better flow. Further yet, dark chocolate causes a spike of dopamine, which heightens feelings of pleasure (4).
Peanut Butter
Rich in monounsaturated fats, peanut butter has the ability to stimulate female sexual arousal (4). As a general rule, if it’s a heart-healthy fat, it’s a healthy sexual stimulant. Better heart health. Better blood flow (to all of the right areas!).
Watermelon
According to Bhimu Patil, a researcher, and director of Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, it is the citrulline within the watermelon rind that gives this superfruit it’s “Viagra-like” qualities. Citrulline helps to stimulate the production of a compound within the body that relaxes blood vessels and therefore increases blood flow (5).
4. Herbal Aphrodisiacs
Horny Goat Weed
This herb is thought to help promote sexual desire and promote healthy seminal emissions by encouraging systemic harmony of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles.
Eleuthero
Eleuthero, found in both Native Remedies Thanda Passion Booster™ and Ikawe for Men™, contains ginsenosides, which support healthy blood flow to the brain, peripherals, and female sexual organs. Healthy blood flow to the sexual organs can increase female sexual pleasure. This herb touts good news for the gentlemen as well, as eleuthero is highly respected and prized in oriental medicine as an herb that promotes male, or ‘yang,’ energy, aiding circulation and supporting natural vitality.
Ashwagandha
According to traditional Ayurvedic practice, ashwagandha promotes rejuvenation. Over 35 active ingredients have been identified in the herb, including steroidal lactones, alkaloids, saponins, and glycosides – making it a power-pack of natural health and a great supporter of performance.
Sarsaparilla
Also found in both Native Remedies Thanda Passion Booster™ and Ikawe for Men™, sarsparilla contains steroidal saparins that are thought to mimic the action of some human hormones. It is used as a supportive tonic for the reproductive system. Sarsaparilla is also used as a tonic for sexual functions and as a rejuvenating tonic to support performance.
5. Get to Bed (And SLEEP)
That’s right. This article may be about stimulating more romance in the bedroom, but it’s also about going to bed for some well deserved “shut-eye.” Lack of sleep will lead to exhaustion and therefore diminished libido and sexual performance. Be sure both you and your partner are making time for 8 hours of restful sleep.
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Sources
1. Landa, Jennifer. “How working out can improve your sex life.” Fox News. FOX News Network, 9 Sept. 2013. Web. 28 Mar. 2017. <http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/09/09/how-working-out-can-improve-your-sex-life.html>.
2. “AVOCADOS MAY BE AN APHRODISIAC AFTER ALL, SUGGEST FOOD, NUTRITION AND ‘SENSORY’ SPECIALISTS.” The Free Library. 1993 PR Newswire Association LLC 29 Mar. 2017. <https://www.thefreelibrary.com/AVOCADOS+MAY+BE+AN+APHRODISIAC+AFTER+ALL%2c+SUGGEST+FOOD%2c+NUTRITION+AND…-a013110547>.
3. Jung, Alyssa. “19 Aphrodisiac Foods Proven to Spark Romance | Reader’s Digest.” Reader’s Digest. Reader’s Digest, 10 Jan. 2016. Web. 28 Mar. 2017. <http://www.rd.com/food/fun/aphrodisiac-foods/>.
4. “Ultimate Orgasm Libido Boosters.” The Dr. Oz Show. The Dr. Oz Show, 9 June 2011. Web. 29 Mar. 2017. <http://www.doctoroz.com/article/ultimate-orgasm-libido-boosters?page=3#copy>.
5. “Watermelon may offer Viagra-like effects.” NBCNews.com. NBC Universal News Group, 03 July 2008. Web. 29 Mar. 2017. <http://www.nbcnews.com/id/25511199/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/watermelon-may-offer-viagra-like-effects/#.WNu01zvysdU>.