Having a baby is a huge step in any relationship. Whether it is your first child, or your seventh, the changes to both your body and your household are significant and take a little adjusting. While it is nice to think that with time, your sex life will come back, it isn’t quite that easy. We chat with Dr Vincent, a health and wellness expert, clinical nutritionist, food scientist and founder of Renovatio, who suggests it take a multi-pronged approach.
Here are 7 tips to get your sex life back on track:
- Get enough quality sleep
While sleep is important, quality sleep is more important. Check that your bed and sheet, including the pillow, provide enough support and comfort so you can enjoy a restful night’s sleep. A poor quality sleep will leave you feeling tired the next day, and in turn, not in the mood for sex. Perhaps try a relaxing meditation at night time.
- See your doctor
Feeling tired from time to time is normal, but if that tiredness isn’t going away, then it is important to make sure you get a check-up. Regular check-ups are essential to keep on top of any undiagnosed health issues," shares Dr Vincent. Conditions such as iron deficiency can cause tiredness, as can sleep apnoea. It is best to get your health checked to ensure there are no underlying reasons for the tiredness.
- Drink plenty of water
We all know the importance of drinking enough water throughout the day. But did you know that 60% of your body is made up of water? Our brain and heart are composed of more than 70% water and our kidneys nearly 80%. In order for our organs to do their job, they need water. Water also flushes out toxins and is key for things such as digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of lubrication, transportation of nutrients and maintenance of our body temperature. If we are dehydrated, these functions are affected. As you might expect, feeling bloated, hot and dry, are all counterintuitive when trying to work on your sex drive. Drink more water and stay hydrated during the day.
- Move
Movement is good for a whole range of reasons. When you exercise, the body releases endorphins and these trigger happy feelings in the body. Let's face it, you are more likely to feel like being romantic with your partner if you are feeling happy. Move everyday. A 20-minute walk not only helps shift some calories, it declutters the mind and allows the body to release happy feelings.
Exercise increases blood flow to your sexual organs as well as increases lubrication. It also reduces stress and we all know that stress is a libido killer. Get a quick stretch session or a 10-minute low intensity work out in before bed time. You may feel more inclined to have sex afterwards and your heart will already be elevated.
- Fuel your body
Fast foods, confectionary, alcohol and smoking are all bad for your sex life. Fast foods and other unhealthy things such as fried food, fatty and sugar filled snacks put added pressure on your body to process the foods. Fat sits in your veins and harmful ingredients in fast and unhealthy foods damage your cells. Your body won't feel like doing anything when you consume this type of food, let alone sex. Eat fresh whole foods where possible and increase servings of vegetables, fruit and white meat.
- Reduce alcohol
Excessive alcohol can ruin sex both physiologically and psychologically. It affects blood flow and reduces arousal. One too many alcoholic drinks can also alter the body's reaction and behaviour, which may lead to alcohol induced orgasm dysfunction.
- Add good stuff
Our bodies are like machines. When we give them the right fuel and maintain them well, they run well. If we don't take care of our bodies, they don't operate at optimum level. It is important to supplement our body with the nutrition and support it needs. Eating foods high in antioxidants, minerals and vitamins is essential. Unfortunately, we don't always have time to do this. Taking additional supplements, such as Fish Oil and Activated Phenolics, provides the body with Omega-3 fatty acids and potent antioxidants. Consuming Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants regularly supports heart and cardiovascular health, maintains healthy eye function, and reduces mild joint inflammation and reduces the symptoms of arthritis.
When we feel better physically, we feel better about ourselves mentally. The more we move, the more we feel like moving. Everything has a flow on effect - which ultimately helps to increase our energy levels and our desire to have sex. Basically, all these tips will make you feel healthier and better about yourself - as we know our main sex organ is our brain, so feeling good about ourself and our body is the first step to it having a great sex life.