STRESS
AND SEX
You’re well aware that stress isn’t
good for you. Unfortunately, stress
doesn’t just impact your mindset—
it can impact your physically and
sexual health as well. It can affect
many different body systems and
cause damage if a person is under
chronic stress. Chronic stress can
also increase your cancer risk.
If that doesn’t convince you to try
to chill out more, then stress can
have a big impact on your sex life.
Yes sex life!
Stress attack on your libido is
innate and during times of stress
we need to survive, not procreate.
Therefore, stress increases your
body’s most important functions
for survival, while diminishing non-
essential functions, like sex.
Unfortunately, stress can attack
your sex life in several ways. One
of the most significant ways is via
hormones. Chronic stress can cause
your body to produce too much of
the hormone, cortisol, which can
lower your libido and also throw
your menstrual cycle off, which
likely won’t put you in the mood,
either.
Stress even makes it harder to
orgasm and can prevent a person
from climaxing. Your biggest sex
organ is your brain and if your
brain is busy, it’s harder to focus
on your arousal, the pleasurable
sensations, or orgasm.
Stress can also impact your sex life
indirectly. The hormones produced
when an individual is stressed can
impact metabolism, which can in
turn lead to weight fluctuations.
Chronic stress may lead to
depression and anxiety, and both
conditions can get in the way of
a healthy sex life. Some people
who feel stressed complain that
they aren’t in the mood to have
sex at all, and if you tend to drink
more when you’re stressed, you
can experience decreased vaginal
lubrication.
Having a healthy outlet for your
stress, like yoga, exercise, getting
a massage, and even taking a bath,
can help. It’s a good idea to do
what you can to minimize stress or
eliminate altogether, if possible.
Intimatcy with your partner can
actually help reduce stress, so it’s a
good idea to try to prioritize some
kind of couple time during the day.
The feelings produced from sex are
natural defenses against stress—
closeness, attachment, and feelings
of calm—so making time and space
for physical intimacy isn’t at all
fruitless, even if stress levels are
high.
If you’ve done all you can to get
a handle on your stress but it’s
still affecting your life, don’t be
ashamed to seek help from a
doctor or mental health counselor.
The results can change your life in a
very positive way.
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www.slyoumag.com | July-August 2019
SL-YOU | Business, People & Lifestyle 29