Lost that frisky feeling? Has your sex drive gone AWOL?
Don’t fret! You’re not alone. Studies show one in six men experience loss of libido.
The good news is there are a number of ways to jump-start your flagging sex-drive – and improve your overall health and well-being at the same time.
Libido, physical and mental health are irrevocably linked; the fitter and happier you are, the more friskier you’ll feel. And vice versa.
Here are nine ways to boost your libido and increase your overall well-being for a longer, healthier life.
Snooze your way to virility
Fatigue is one of the biggest killers of libido. Getting enough quality sleep is crucial for boosting and maintaining a strong sex drive.
Studies demonstrate seven to eight hours of peaceful sleep are ideal for optimal health and longevity.
Go to bed earlier or set your alarm for later. Mobile devices are proven to be detrimental to a good night’s sleep so switch off your phone at least an hour before turning in.
The bottom-line? More sleep equates to more desire for sex. And you’ll live longer too.
Nurture a laid back attitude
Stress is another libido destroyer that’s also bad for your health.
High stress levels make your body produce the hormone cortisol needed for “fight or flight” situations but an excess of cortisol can suppress your libido.
Chronic stress affects almost every system in your body. It can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, destroy your immune system and upset your reproductive and digestive systems.
The opposite of feeling stressed is feeling calm and relaxed.
Increase your levels of calm by:
- Avoiding negative people or situations that suck your energy.
- ‘Detaching’ from those things you cannot control; the weather, the economy, the traffic…
- Saying ‘no’ to tasks or jobs that overwhelm you. Delegate where you can.
- Keeping life simple and not sweating the small stuff.
- Watching less news and more comedies.
- Switching off your mobile devices and just chilling. You don’t have to read all of Facebook every day.
- Relaxing your standards and not comparing yourself to others.
Visit your doctor
Yes… a visit to your GP could boost your libido!
Regular health check-ups are important to highlight any potential health issues before they become serious. Struggling with a low sex drive may be an indicator of a more complex health issue. Ask for a complete health check including blood tests.
Medications can also impact on libido. Review your medications with your doctor to ensure they’re not conflicting or causing the unwanted side-effects of a diminished sex drive.
Eat and drink aphrodisiacs
The foods of love have been touted for centuries to inspire lust. There must be some truth in that age-old wisdom!
You’ve nothing to lose trying out these libido boosters; they’re all healthy options and readily available from your local supermarket.
Most aphrodisiac foods and drinks work their magic by increasing blood flow to those important regions of your body. Foods such as dark chocolate, ginger, spinach, garlic and green tea are all reported to get you in a playful mood.
Guys, don’t forget the clichéd oyster – they’re high in zinc, a natural testosterone (and libido) booster.
Get it on
It’s a chicken and egg situation. You may not be in the mood, but getting it on can actually make you more in the mood…
Regular healthy sex is not only pleasurable – it’s good for you. Making love helps you to sleep better, burns calories, relieves stress and is good for immunity and cardiovascular health. Plus new studies show you’ll look seven years younger!
Connect with your partner
Life pressures can take their toll on intimate relationships. Aim to spend more quality time with your partner. By re-connecting and enjoying each other’s company, feelings of closeness and intimacy are enhanced, re-igniting desire.
Make a commitment to hang out together; go for a walk, take up a hobby, schedule a date night or paint the fence - together.
Not only can your relationship help fan the flames of desire it can also help you live longer. A study done by Harvard discovered men who are in relationships can expect to live five to seven (happier and healthier) years longer than their single counterparts.
Take natural supplements
Natural treatments for low libido are gaining in popularity for good reason. They’re all-natural, chemical-free and many have been used for thousands of years as traditional medicines.
Some popular libido booster supplements include:
- Zinc – increases testosterone levels, in turn boosting sex drive.
- Ginkgo Biloba – increases blood flow into the important regions of your body.
- Ginseng – proven to increase sexual desire.
- Horny Goat Weed - has been reputed to improve libido in both sexes.
Many of these natural herbs and minerals offer other health benefits including improving cardiovascular health and boosting your immune system.
Get your heart pumping
At the gym, in the garden, on your bike – regular exercise (without overdoing it) will not only increase your heart rate – but also your sex drive!
That’s because exercise releases the feel-good hormones, endorphins, proven to also increase sexual desire. Endorphins also reduce stress, the real kill-joy of libido.
As a bonus, regular exercise keeps you fit, so you feel better mentally and physically. You’re bound to feel more confident about your body which leads to feeling sexier.
Regular exercise assists in maintaining a healthy body weight and shape, a major contributor to a longer, healthier life.
Increase your testosterone levels
Testosterone is the male sex hormone responsible for your libido, amongst other important functions, so avoiding testosterone zappers should be a priority.
Studies have proven the chemicals BPA and Phthalates can lower testosterone levels (and potentially cause cancer). BPA is found in some plastics, canned food containers and other food packaging. Phthalates are called the “everywhere chemical” because they’re found in so many consumer products including personal care products, food packaging, detergents and a lot more.
To avoid exposure to BPA and Phthalates, buy food packaged in cardboard or glass, don’t heat or store food in plastic containers and drink out of glass containers.
Too much salt and sugar in your diet, as well as other risk factors like smoking and excessive alcohol intake can also reduce testosterone levels.
Research shows testosterone is a significant contributor to overall health and well-being – and longevity - so maintaining your levels is vital for a pleasurable and healthy life.
The libido booster round-up
These libido boosters not only enhance your love life, they’ll also be helping you live a healthier, happier and longer life:
- Aim for eight hours sleep
- Chill out
- Take natural supplements
- Get it on
- Work up a sweat
- Get a health check-up
- Eat the foods of love
- Connect with your partner
- Avoid testosterone destroyers.