Nowadays, stress is a very common problem experienced by most people at some point in their lives. As well as affecting your emotional state and mental health, it can also have a big impact on your sexual health.
If you’re suffering from stress then it’s important that you take the necessary steps to help yourself unwind and ensure that it doesn’t affect your sexual wellbeing.
How does stress affect your sex life?
Although sex can actually be a way of relieving stress, it can also be negatively affected by stress. Both personal and professional stress are key factors behind a low sex drive or loss of libido. This can make you less aroused and less likely to want sex and thus affect your sexual confidence – and potentially that of your partner too.
This can obviously but more pressure on your relationship, especially from a physical point of view, and thus add to your feelings of stress and create a vicious cycle.
How can you stop stress affecting your sex life?
If you often feel stressed and find that these emotions stop you from wanting or enjoying sex then it is important that you take the necessary steps to address this problem. Here are some helpful sex tips that could help you:
Don’t think sex only covers penetration
Sex can encompass a range of activities from erotic caressing, massage and touching to oral sex and play with sex toys and other items. If you’re not in the mood for penetrative sex or, if you are struggling to get an erection, then engaging in other forms of sexual activity can help to build your arousal and confidence but without putting you under pressure to perform. You and your partner can still enjoy orgasms from this kind of sexual activity and will benefit from the intimacy of being together without any pressure.Never fake it
If you fake interest in sex or an orgasm then, despite your best acting skills, your partner will be likely to smell a rat. Knowing that you are just going through the motions will not do their confidence any good or make you feel better about sex. In fact, it could cause you to associate negative thoughts with sex and thus be even more reluctant to engage in sexual activity later on. If you’re not in the mood then you’re better off being honest with your partner and getting intimate in another way or at another time.