Given the current times, staying healthy has never been more important. But in addition to making your doctor proud, optimal health can give your sex life a boost while at it!
By now we all should know that certain aspects of wellness have a direct impact on sexual performance.
So in an effort to keep both your body and your sex life in tip-top shape, here are some of the biggest physical factors to help hack your way to better intimacy:
ENDORPHINS
“Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.”
Our girl Elle Woods said it best, and you better believe it applies to the bedroom, too. Endorphins, along with oxytocin, are known as the “feel-good” hormones for a reason. They’re released when we eat, when we dance, and yes, when we have sex. When they’re released, it triggers our natural reward system, putting us in the mood for pleasure.
It’s also human instinct to be attracted to what feels good and shy away from what doesn’t. So, of course, giving into the pleasurable sensations of intimacy will continue the cycle of craving more positive satisfaction. Which translates to having a lot of steamy sex.
CARDIAC HEALTH
Good heart health is essential for peak performance. This is true whether you’re running a marathon, going for a hike, or spending time between the sheets.
Studies have told us for years that bouts of breaking a sweat can absolutely help boost libido. So the next time you think about hitting the gym, know that you’re accomplishing multiple goals! Not only does exercise manage anxiety, improve sleep, bolster immunity and build up muscle, it increases blood flow overall. Which, as we know, plays a key part in sexual response – considering that arousal is blood flow to the genitals.
MENTAL HEALTH
In case you didn’t know, the mind-body connection is no joke. Your mental well-being is just as important as your physical and emotional when it comes to sex.
Plain and simple, sex feels good. And having sex – especially with a solid partner – has a direct tie to how you feel in your own skin. As a result, when experiencing things like depression, low self-esteem, anxiety and trauma, it’s easy to understand how they can take a real toll on our lives at large—intimacy being no exception.
However, since self-confidence, self-expression and being able to genuinely feel close with others are all key signs of a flourishing mental health state, it’s no secret that taking the initiative to get it back on track can have an extremely positive impact on your sexual satisfaction.
STRESS
STRESS! Without a doubt, it can wreak havoc on sexual performance as well. Not only can it majorly inhibit one’s libido, it can also make arousal, erections and being able to get/stay in the moment, feel borderline impossible. Besides, they always say that stress is the silent killer, so being mindful of the detrimental impact it can slowly but surely have on the body is essential.
Plus, when our bodies go into pedal-to-the-metal stress mode, it prioritizes survival over all else. Which means the “less important” functions like sex, pleasure and emotional connection tend to fall by the wayside in order to simply stay alive. The brain is our largest sex organ, after all, so if it’s focusing on other things, there’s little hope that intimacy will make the cut.
PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES
The benefits of a strong pelvic floor is a list that goes on and on. Although, whether due to age, childbirth, prostate surgery or any other medical cause, the PC muscles have a way of weakening as time goes on. However, the good news is there is a solution yet! Namely in the form of Kegel exercises, which not only fight off the symptoms of incontinence, but bring longer, stronger, more sensation-filled orgasms as well. And best of all, they’ve never been easier to do.
For those who prefer sticking to the classics, you can complete these exercises anywhere, any time with the help of Emily’s Kegel Camp app. Although if hands-off efficiency is more your style, then let us introduce you to the Yarlap – an award-winning, FDA-cleared medical device that does all of the PC-strengthening work FOR you using powerful Auto-Kegel technology.
HORMONES
Every 7 years, your body goes through hormonal changes. These can sometimes be life-altering, and sometimes barely noticeable. In addition to puberty, one of the most major hormonal shifts that people go through is menopause. All sorts of systems get thrown out of whack and it can feel like your sex life is taking the biggest hit.
One of the symptoms of menopause is vaginal dryness. And everyone knows, you need moisture for sex to happen! If you’re experiencing dryness, try a non-hormonal solution to help moisture retention in the vaginal tissue.
ALTHOUGH IF ISSUES CONTINUE TO PERSIST…
Whether you have a penis or vagina, any prolonged health/sexual problems are worth discussing with a doctor. While a lot of these aforementioned tips can typically do wonders for your sex life, underlying causes like hormone imbalances, ED and certain birth controls can definitely have a huge (and overshadowing) impact as well.
Instead of just “dealing with it”, know that in most cases something can be done. So always be open, honest and not afraid to talk to your partner as well as a medical professional about anything you notice.
Especially when it can mean hotter sex is just around the corner!
Alex Anderson is an LA-based lifestyle designer proactively raging against the cultural grain. By day she works in television production, and by night enjoys writing, sewing and seeking guidance from the stars. She also finally has an all black kitty named “Cher.” You can follow her website (www.alexjanderson.com) and on Instagram (@AJAndMore)!
