Sex is a well-known stress reliever. Research shows that sex releases a slew of endorphins and other hormones that elevate your mood. It’s also a natural form of exercise, which also helps reduce stress. Still, getting in the mood to get down can be challenging, especially when your libido begins to buckle under the demands of everyday life. But, as Einstein once said, “in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Here are four simple ways to get yourself in the mood for sex when you’re stressed.
Turn Up the Stereo
That’s right. Researchers over at McGill University have found that listening to music makes us feel good. More specifically, they found that music helps inspire the release of dopamine, also known as the “feel good chemical,” in our brains. Couple that experience with sex, and you get double the dose. And hey, music might help enhance your performance as well. Studies show that listening to certain kinds of music can help increase signs of arousal, including heart rate, breathing rate, and skin conductance. A separate survey suggests that listening to music during sex can help improve our rhythm, and the overall sexual experience. So play some tunes. It can help keep the action up and stress down.
Work on Your Breathing
Yoga enthusiasts will recognize the concept of pranayama, a formal process of controlling breath. It largely revolves around deep breathing, through the nostrils. The practice is thought to improve attention, increase energy, and decrease stress. Of course, it can also help you have better sex. “Deeper breathing can help us achieve deeper, stronger, and longer-lasting orgasms,” pleasure-based sex educator Kait Scalisi previously told Fatherly. According to Scalisi, deep breaths help engage the pelvic floor, the same group of muscles that contract during orgasm. She also reminds us that breathing through the nose can increase the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps blood flow and lowers blood pressure. That bit should be of particular interest to anyone in the habit of incorporating erections into their sexual routine.
Make Out
A study of 2,000 couples found that couples who only kiss during sex were eight times more likely to report suffering from stress and depression than those who kiss more frequently. “Kissing relieves stress by creating a sense of connectedness, which releases endorphins, the chemicals that counteract stress and depression,” writes Laura Berman, Ph.D., the author of the study. Of course, that’s not the only function kissing provides. Locking lips is probably the world’s most popular form of foreplay out there. And, as anyone who’s ever participated in a satisfying sexual encounter should already know, foreplay is important.
Put Sex on the Calendar
Back in 2011, psychologist and self-help author Robert Epstein decided to look into the most effective ways to reduce stress. He surveyed over 3,000 participants based in the U.S. and 29 other countries over the course of his investigation. According to his findings, the best method revolves around our ability to plan ahead. “The most important way to manage stress is to prevent it from ever occurring, ” he wrote. “That means planning your day, your year and your life so that stress is minimized.” Of course, scheduling sex doesn’t seem to be the most intuitive approach to intimacy, but it might be the most appropriate for those who have a lot on their plate. It also gives you the opportunity to plan strategically. Maybe think about scheduling things before bed. After all, sex has been shown to release hormones that make us relaxed and sleepy.
