Stress and sexuality: best enemies or unsuspected allies?
Stress is a bit like that annoying friend who shows up unannounced and messes up your life.
Sometimes he boosts you, sometimes he puts a spanner in the works, and when he sneaks under the covers... ouch ouch ouch!
But then, is sex really the ultimate stress reliever?
Spoiler: yes, but not only that. Decryption.
Stress, the intruder that saps libido
Love is more than just a feeling: it's also a physical and mental connection. Except sometimes, stress can ruin the mood.
Result: decreased desire, lack of motivation, and the little flame dies out.
We run after performance , we want to "perform" like in the movies... but in reality, sexuality is anything but a competition! When we transform it into a race for orgasm, we lose sight of the essential: pleasure, letting go, and that little thrill that makes everything magical.
Add to that the daily grind, responsibilities, and fatigue, and stress creeps into the bedroom uninvited.
It blocks our desires, clutters our minds, and puts pressure on what we just want to have fun. In short, not cool at all.
Stress: poison or boost?
No one escapes it, but the good news is: not all stress is bad.
Sometimes it motivates us, stimulates us, pushes us to surpass ourselves. Except that when it accumulates without pause, it ends up eating away at us, including on an intimate level.
According to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, events such as separation, job loss, or even relationship tension are major stressors.
And guess what? The less comfortable we feel, the less we want to make love. A vicious cycle begins.
But be careful, because too much stress can also affect our hormones. Adrenaline and cortisol skyrocket, and then it's our libido that suffers. Less testosterone, less estrogen... and hey presto, no more motivation under the covers.
In men, it can lead to erectile dysfunction, and in women, to a lack of desire .
In short, no joy.
Making love, the best natural antidote
So, what do we do? Do we accept fate? Of course not!
The good news is that sex can be a great natural stress reliever. And that's not just a myth.
When we make love, the body releases a cocktail of magic hormones :
- Dopamine : boosts pleasure and motivation
- Endorphins : The Natural Painkillers That Make Us Feel Good
- Serotonin : the happiness hormone
- Oxytocin : Reduces anxiety and strengthens bonds
The result? We sleep better, we feel more relaxed, and as a bonus, we strengthen our relationship (or our personal well-being for singles, because yes, masturbation has the same effects!).
Our tips for stress-free sex
Let's not lie to ourselves, eradicating stress from our lives is mission impossible.
But we can learn to manage it better to prevent it from ruining our libido.
Here are some tips:
✅ Move your body : sport, yoga, Reiki , meditation... anything that helps release pressure is good to take.
✅ Take breaks : take time for yourself, disconnect from screens, take a deep breath.
✅ Revisit your intimate routine : change the atmosphere, establish rituals, explore without pressure , use sex toys .
✅ Learn to let go : performance is not the goal, pleasure is!
✅ Laugh and relax : a good laugh is already a step towards greater complicity.
And above all, keep in mind that sexuality isn't a to-do list to check off. It's a moment to experience, share, and savor without pressure. So, are you ready to make your bed a stress-relieving sanctuary? 😉
Lalaka Yoni
www.lalakayoni.com
