As a human being, you may experience various emotions such as sadness, happiness, excitement, anger, etc., which is normal. However, there are some situations where you might feel stressed out due to many reasons like work pressure, financial problems, personal issues, family crisis, etc. These types of circumstances affect your mental health and make you feel drained physically and mentally. Maintaining sexual desire when you're dealing with stressful conditions could be challenging for several individuals. It's important to manage your feelings effectively so that they don't interfere with your love life.
Stress could adversely impact one's physical and psychological well-being. When under stress, people tend to become agitated and anxious, and this condition prevents them from concentrating or focusing on their daily activities. Stress also makes it difficult for an individual to relax and have fun time. According to studies, stress and depression can lead to a loss of libido. So, maintaining intimacy while you're suffering from anxiety is tricky. But you can still keep your sex drive alive if you're willing to work on it. Here are some ways to achieve it:
1) Focus on self-care: If you want to deal with stress properly, the first thing you must do is focus on yourself. Taking care of yourself will help you cope up with tension better. You need to take out enough time from your busy schedule and do something that keeps you happy. Go for a walk, read books, watch movies or spend time with family members. Try deep breathing exercises and meditation, which helps calm your mind and body. Exercise regularly as it reduces fatigue and releases endorphins in the brain. Also, avoid drinking alcohol and smoking since it increases blood pressure.
2) Communication: The key to handling any issue is communication. If you communicate openly about how you feel and what bothers you, things will be much easier. It would be best if you talked to your partner about the problem and seek help from them. Don't hesitate to share your feelings as they understand you better than anyone else does. Also, make sure that you listen carefully when your partner expresses his/her concerns. Apart from this, talk about other things besides just worrying about work or issues so that there are no arguments between each other.
3) Set realistic goals: When undergoing stress, set achievable goals rather than unachievable ones. Setting unrealistic targets leads to disappointment, and this affects your mood adversely. So, try setting attainable objectives for yourself that can boost your confidence level and keep you motivated. Moreover, write down all those tasks that need completion within a specific period. This way, you won't forget anything crucial, which causes more anxiety.
4) Schedule sex: Planning sexual activities makes one excited and prepares mentally for intimacy. Talk with your spouse beforehand about the date and time of intercourse and then follow through on it. Make plans like candlelight dinners at home or going out to restaurants once or twice a week. Plan a getaway trip where you spend quality time together without any distractions. Doing these things will strengthen your bond and increase libido naturally.
5) Use foreplay: Foreplay is essential to arousal and desire during intercourse. For example, cuddling, kissing, touching, etc., helps build anticipation towards physical intimacy. These acts create an emotional connection between two people and give them enough space to explore their bodies physically. Try different positions, use massage oils, etc., and see what works best for both partners. Also, ask your partner if he/she enjoys particular acts and make changes accordingly.
6) Take breaks: If you feel exhausted after work hours, take rest instead of jumping into bed right away. Give yourself some space so that you don't burn out completely. Don't pressure yourself into having sex when you're tired because this leads to performance issues later on. Instead, relax and sleep well before engaging in sexual activity. Avoid stress-inducing situations while doing so as it affects your mood negatively.
7) Seek professional help: Sometimes, dealing with stressful conditions requires expert advice. Consulting a therapist can help individuals deal with depression better. They provide personalized solutions based on one's condition and suggest healthy ways to cope up with stress. Mental counselors also guide about medications like anti-depressants which relieve anxiety symptoms. Moreover, they offer techniques that improve self-esteem and confidence levels.
In conclusion, managing sexual drive while undergoing stress isn't easy but achievable. Follow the above tips, stay positive, and take care of yourself first so that you remain fit mentally and physically. Remember, communication is vital for maintaining relationships, so always talk openly with your partner about anything bothering you. Lastly, seek professional assistance if needed because sometimes external support is required.