Have you lost this? You might find it here…
This happens to a lot of people, but hardly anyone wants to talk about it.
The majority of my clients suffer from it and in the beginning, they are embarrassed to admit it.
Most of us chalk it up to old age, being “past our prime” or because “I don’t have time.”
What is this ailing issue that is so prevalent?
LOW LIBIDO.
Yep, I said it. Did you cringe when you read it? Do you secretly feel as though you’ve lost your mojo and wonder what happened or where it went?
Well, I can tell you it’s not because you’re “past your prime” or because you’re getting older. All of my clients who once “lost their libido” were able to find it again.
If you’ve lost your lust, then stress is the number one suspect.
Think of the stress hormone cortisol as the main controller for the rest of the hormone system.
Whenever we encounter stress, it triggers the sympathetic nervous system and the release of cortisol. This reaction is often referred to as the “fight or flight” response that our body developed to survive real-life threats or dangerous situations.
When cortisol spikes from stress, it sends all of the body’s resources outwards for quick moving and thinking to escape the threat while suppressing other functions such as digestion or the production of other hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and oxytocin.
Which makes sense, right? If you had to escape a dangerous situation, your body needs to focus on quick moving and thinking, and not on getting busy to reproduce.
This brilliant body response was designed to help us overcome acute (short-term) stress-inducing situations like surviving an encounter with a predator.
However, in our modern-day world, we encounter big or subtle stress triggers all day long, and this prolonged stress response can have long-term impacts on the hormone system leading to sex hormone depletion and a loss of libido.
All of this means stress has an immediate and long-term impact on your libido.
The good news is, with some simple healthy habits and nourishing foods, you can boost your libido right back to where it should be.
In this week’s video and blog, I’m sharing 5 easy ways to reduce the impacts of stress daily and get your libido back.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, February is the perfect month to focus on finding your sex drive again so you can live your best life, full of passion and love!
Here are 5 quick and easy ways to stoke your fire naturally and get your libido back:
#1 – Just Breathe.
Inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5, and exhale for 7, repeat 5-10 times once a day or more for better results. Adopting the breathing pattern of a relaxed person immediately flips the switch in your body from fight or flight to a calm state, bringing cortisol levels down, and letting the rest of the hormones kick back into gear.
#2 – Daily Hug Dose.
Hugging and physical touch release oxytocin, the “love hormone”, which helps to lower cortisol levels. This hormone also facilitates the feelings of connection, bonding, trust and love which are all essential for feeling “in the mood.” Hug yourself or a partner first thing in the morning and/or throughout the day to build upon the benefits of oxytocin.
#3 – Maca Motivation.
Maca is a root-based supplement that has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac for over 2,000 years. It stimulates the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, which all support sex hormone production and therefore sex drive! It has been known to calm the mind and support mental clarity, which can assist in reducing stress and also bring your libido back into focus.
#4 – Rest & Replenish.
Cortisol has a natural rhythm throughout the day guided by the sun cycle. When the sun rises, cortisol naturally increases without triggering the stress response to give you the energy to get up and get going in the morning, and then when the sun sets, it signals the body to lower cortisol in preparation for bed.
Being asleep by 10 pm sets your body up for success with optimal rest and replenishment to balance sex hormones and perform other critical functions. This also keeps your cortisol rhythm in sync. When it’s out of whack, you won’t have the energy or desire to hit sack with anyone.
#5 – Power Up with Protein.
The nutrients and amino acids found in proteins such as oysters, salmon, eggs, and beef have been shown to boost testosterone, the main libido hormone. Eating adequate amounts of protein can also give you longer-lasting energy and prevent bloating to fuel your desire and self-esteem to get frisky.
Ultimately, if your libido is being suppressed by stress, it’s best to look at minimizing your overall stress load for long-lasting results.
In the work I do with clients, one of the first things I ask them to do is redefine the word “stress”.
“Stress is anything that places a burden on the body, resulting in inflammation or imbalance.”
Typically, when we hear the word “stress”, we think of mental or emotional stress and common things such as challenges within our relationships or family, tough-to-deal-with bosses, crappy coworkers, traffic, the loss of a loved one or friend, trying to meet expectations and deadlines.
But stress can also be:
- Foods you’re eating that aren’t right for your body or that cause inflammation
- Going to bed late or getting a bad night’s sleep (especially consistently)
- Over-exercising or intense exercise when the body is already stressed
- Not exercising or moving your body enough regularly
- Toxins that you can’t always see, hear or feel in your environment
- Nutrient deficiencies that you might be unaware of
- Tight muscles or joints that are out of alignment (specifically the spin)
- Traveling and crossing different time zones
When you tune into your body, you’ll start to recognize the different variables adding to your body’s overall stress burden, and then you can take strategic action to give your body what it needs to feel your best and have a lively libido.
Now I want to know…
Which of these 5 tips are you going to put into action to boost your libido leading up to Valentine’s Day?
Comment below to let me know what you’re committing to!
