Let’s Talk Sex | How Good Health Helps Drive a Healthy Sex Life Achi-News

Sex may permeate our popular culture, but conversations about it are still associated with stigma and shame in Indian households. As a result, most individuals dealing with sexual health issues or trying to find information about sex often turn to unverified online sources or follow the unscientific advice of their friends. To tackle the widespread misinformation about sex, News18.com runs this weekly sex column, called ‘Let’s Talk Sex’. We hope to start conversations about sex through this column and tackle sexual health issues with scientific insight and nuance.

In this article, we will share some lifestyle changes that will help drive your healthy sex life.

You know that looking after your health is important, but did you realize that it can also help boost your sex life? Yes it is true. Getting fit and eating right does more than just make you look and feel better. It actually improves circulation, energy levels, self-confidence, and even hormone balance. There is a deep connection between your health and your sex life. Your physical and mental health has a direct impact on your libido and sex life. Get ready to learn easy tips that will make you feel sexier and enjoy intimacy more than you have in years.

Eating Right for Better Sex – Nutrition Tips

What you put into your body has a direct effect on your libido and your performance in the bedroom. To boost your sex drive, focus on eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Certain foods are particularly useful for your sex life. Some specific libido-boosting foods and tips include:

• Avocados are rich in healthy fats and vitamin E, which is good for your heart and circulation.
• Bananas provide potassium and vitamin B6 to support hormone levels.
• Broccoli is high in folate, which helps metabolize estrogen and vitamin C.
• Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health and blood flow.
• Dark chocolate in moderation contains compounds such as phenylethylamine which can boost mood.
• Chillies contain capsaicin, which can increase your heart rate and circulation.
• For men, foods high in zinc such as oysters, beef and pumpkin seeds can help boost testosterone, which is important for libido and erections.
• For women, iron-rich foods such as red meat, poultry and spinach help ensure you have enough iron for energy and hormone balance.
• Drink enough water to keep your body working properly. Dehydration can sap your energy and cause headaches, both mood killers. For additional benefits, drink green tea which contains compounds that can help relax blood vessels.
• Too much saturated fat from red meat and full-fat dairy products can clog arteries and reduce blood flow to the genitals. Cut back on fatty, fried and processed foods, which are high in unhealthy trans fats. Replace them with healthy fats from fish, nuts, seeds and olive oil.
• Drinking alcohol reduces arousal and sexual performance in both men and women. Smoking reduces blood flow, which inhibits arousal and performance. It also accelerates the aging of blood vessels and tissues in the genitals. Giving up these will significantly improve your sexual health and life expectancy.

Exercise for Better Sexual Function

Exercise provides so many benefits to your health and well-being, including your sex life. Regular physical activity boosts circulation throughout your body, including to your genitals. This means increased blood flow to your penis or clitoris and pelvic area, which is important for arousal and orgasm.

• Cardiovascular exercise: Any exercise that gets your heart rate and breathing up is great for your sex life. Things like walking, jogging, cycling and swimming are all easy options. Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of cardio three to four times a week. As your endurance improves over time, you will notice your stamina increase during sex as well.
• Pelvic floor exercises: Exercises such as kegels that target these muscles can improve arousal, make orgasms more intense, and help prevent problems such as erectile dysfunction in men. To do kegels, tighten the muscles you use to stop the flow of urine. Hold for three to five seconds, release, and repeat for 10 to 15 reps, a few times a day.
• Strength training: As well as cardio, strength or resistance training is key. Focus on exercises that build muscle in your core, legs and glutes such as planks, squats, lunges and bridges. Strong muscles will give you more flexibility and stamina during sex. Aim for two or three strength sessions each week, with rest days in between for best results.
• Stay active every day: While a good exercise routine is important, staying active throughout the day can also help. Take the stairs when possible, go for a walk on your breaks at work, do some gentle stretching, or get up to move around if you sit for long periods. All these little boosts in activity will keep your circulation pumping and benefit your sexual function and performance in the long run.

Managing Stress and Getting Enough Sleep

• Reduce stress: Too much stress can negatively affect your libido and sexual performance. When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, the stress hormone, which can lower testosterone levels and sap your energy. Try relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing to lower your stress levels.
• Get enough sleep: Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night to function at their best. Lack of sleep can increase stress and irritability, and reduce libido. Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, avoid screens and bright lights before bed, and make your bedroom as dark as possible.

So, there you go! Looking after your health and well-being can help boost your love life. Eating nutritious foods, keeping fit, managing stress, and getting enough sleep set you up to feel energized and confident. When you feel good, you’ll be more up and going for romance. Making healthy choices empowers you to have the kind of satisfying relationships and sex life you want. Remember, it’s never too late to make positive changes. Focus on taking things one step at a time. You are worth it!