At least that’s what sexuality counselor Ian Kerner recommends.
Although there is no magic number for how much you have sex (you and your partner might not be satisfied with any less than 7 times a week), you should try to at least have sex once a week.
This is especially true for married couples who may be seeing a drop in the “magic” as the years go on. We were shocked to learn that, according to a study, 40 million Americans are in sexless marriages. WTF!
If you’re having trouble reigniting the fire, try the following:
1. Exercise and eat right. Your sexual health is connected to your overall health, and it’s no surprise that people who have sex more frequently are also healthier overall. If you’re too tired for sex, it probably means you’re too tired in other areas as well, and that you’re not taking care of yourself as much as you should be.
2. Minimize stress. Not only does stress release cortisol, which inhibits testosterone, but studies have also shown that for a woman to want to have sex (and to enjoy it) parts of the female brain associated with outside stressors need to deactivate. So figure out what’s stressing you out and put together a plan with your partner to deal with it.
3. Turn off (your computers), so you have some time to tune in to your partner and turn on. When you look at all of the precious time that gets sucked up by Facebook, surfing the Web, and email, no wonder you’re plopping into bed exhausted and spent.
4. Give your partner a hug. Non-sexual physical intimacy builds a foundation for sexual desire. Studies show that a 20-second hug raises oxytocin levels. Oxytocin is also known as the “cuddle hormone” and facilitates a sense of love and connection, especially in women. Most couples don’t take the time to hug at all, much less for 20 seconds.
Remember, sex is fun! Don’t make it into a chore!
[Image via AP Images.]