It’s that time of year again. Everywhere you look, you are surrounded by hearts, chocolates and flowers. It’s Valentine’s Day and the pressure is on. But what if you are having a hard time getting into “the mood”?
Many people struggle with decreased libido or sex drive. Luckily there are some natural ways to help give your sex drive a boost.
Here’s a list of my top 5 strategies to improve your libido:
- Look at your plate. There are foods that can increase your libido. Consider foods like avocados, watermelon, asparagus and sweet potatoes. They contain nutrients that support healthy hormones and can increase your libido. Incorporating these foods daily in your diet while reducing refined sugar, processed foods and fried foods can help support a healthy sex drive.
- Get a move on. Exercise will boost your testosterone and testosterone can support a healthy libido in men and women. Pump some iron to get even better results since building muscle by lifting weights can increase testosterone. Not into lifting? Consider sprints or high intensity interval training (HIIT). A series of short but intense exercise has been shown to increase testosterone as well.
- Stress less. We know stress impacts our lives in many ways. Our sex life is no exception. It is important to manage stress in a healthy way. Consider better sleep routines, exercise, a healthy diet and meditation. Dealing with stress with excessive alcohol, drugs, junk food and smoking are not only going to be harmful to your overall well-being, they are also going to further decrease any interest you may have in the bedroom activities. Stress keeping you from getting in the mood? Take a bath or do some meditation beforehand to help you relax and get in the mood.
- Put it on the calendar. We are generally over scheduled so why not add sex to the to-do list? Admittedly, it isn’t the most romantic thing to do but if it helps to make it a priority and keep you and your partner connected, it might be worth a try.
- Consider some supplements. Our sex hormones start to decrease as we get older. A supplement can help. Omega 3 fats, for instance, can help support sex hormones and improve blood flow. Maca is a Peruvian herb linked to fertility and sexuality. Many other supplements contain herbs and vitamins that can support our sex hormones and in turn, give your sex drive a little boost. Keep in mind, it is always important to consult with a health care practitioner before starting a supplement.
If simple measures like these don’t help, consider an appointment with your naturopathic doctor or other health care practitioner. A review of your diet, medications or supplements and lifestyle may reveal hidden causes for a depressed libido. Working with a qualified practitioner may help you develop a regimen that helps increase your libido and get you back in the mood for Cupid.
Dr. Rahima Hirji, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Co-Owner
Sage Naturopathic Clinic