Life has changed dramatically in the past fifty years, and unfortunately, not all of the changes are positive when it comes to our health and well-being. You may not realize it, but many of the things that are taken for granted in this modern day and age could be causing your sex life to suffer.
The Effects of Today’s Diet on Your Sex Life
The typical Western diet is high in carbohydrates, added sugars, artificial sweeteners and unhealthy fats, and low in fruits and vegetables. Additionally, portion sizes have gone through the roof since five decades ago, contributing to the modern Western obesity crisis.
Obesity leads to a huge number of health problems, including a greatly increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. Morbidly obese people are also 25 times more likely to report sexual dissatisfaction than average-weight people. Being overweight or obese reduces your energy levels and disrupts your hormones, causing a physical loss of sex drive, but it can also decrease your self-confidence, psychologically reducing libido.
It’s been proven that reducing your caloric intake by just 10 percent can improve your sleep, mood and sex drive. However, calories and weight gain are not the only aspects of the modern Western diet that have a negative effect on libido. Studies have shown that drinking diet soda, made with artificial sweeteners, can reduce your sex drive. Another study found that eating a low-fat diet can reduce testosterone levels, which has a huge potential to decrease sex drive, especially for men. Lastly, modern diets are often not as nutritious as diets in decades past. Many vitamins and minerals, including zinc, vitamin D and magnesium, have been shown to impact libido. These same nutrients are ones that many of us are deficient in.
Eating more fruits and vegetables, eating smaller portions and cutting out junk food can be small, incremental steps toward eating a healthier diet. Consider taking a multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement. Improving your diet is one of the simplest ways to reduce your risk for numerous health problems as well as improve your sex life.
Technology Use Can Decrease Sexual Satisfaction
In recent years, laptops, TVs and cell phones have become more ubiquitous. It has become increasingly common to use these devices practically all day. This can lead to a lack of intimacy with your partner, research shows. Psychologists surveyed over 500 couples about their sex life and television viewing habits and found that those who didn’t keep a television in their bedroom had twice as much sex as couples who did. More research shows that smartphones and tablets in the bedroom can also lead to a less-robust sex life.
Technology reduces the frequency of sex not only because it’s simply a distraction, but also because it contributes to insomnia. Blue light waves emitted from electronic screens prevent the brain from secreting melatonin, thereby making it take longer to fall asleep and reducing sleep quality. Insomnia leads to fatigue and higher stress, which both lower your sex drive.
If you use phones, tablets, laptops or televisions in your bedroom, especially during nighttime hours, considering making your bedroom a screen-free zone. By making your bedroom a peaceful, safe haven, you can improve intimacy with your partner.
Sexual Effects of the Modern Sedentary Lifestyle
One hundred years ago, people did manual labor all day, usually on their family farm. This high level of physical activity was great for the body. However, nowadays people in the Western World sit at a desk for the better part of the day. Most of us get little or no exercise, and this is bad news for health. In addition to reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other health problems, exercise is good for your sex life because it regulates your hormone levels which contribute to a healthy libido. The improved blood circulation caused by exercise also aids in arousal.
Doing moderate exercise for just 30 minutes per day can make a huge difference in the way you feel overall. The trick is to find an activity you like. Even walking around your neighborhood will benefit your body. If you can form a consistent exercise habit, you’ll have more energy, better health and a higher sex drive.