20 Health Habits That Can Improve Your Sex Life

Astroglide's resident sexologist, Jessica O'Reilly (better known as Dr. Jess) stresses the importance of alone time for overall health and intimacy. “Experts often express the importance of date nights, but if you don’t have any alone time, you’ll be so busy recovering on date night that intimacy will likely play a secondary role,” she explains. Instead of scheduling a date night every week, she suggests alternating between partnered nights out (or in) and a night out with the guys/girls.

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Toxic friendships can have a negative effect on your quality of life and your sex life, says Dr. Jess. “If your friends are constantly criticizing others, complaining about their bodies and/or obsessing over their weight, you’re more likely to do so too and this can wreak havoc on your sex life,” she says. “Body image can impact desire, arousal, orgasm and sexual satisfaction so take steps to immerse yourself in environments which help to support overall self-esteem.”

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The couple who works out together often has better sex, notes Dr. Jess. She explains that exercising as a duo will boost your energy, endorphins and testosterone levels which can result in a natural libido increase. “The extra circulation from a workout promotes sexual arousal and can even intensify and speed up orgasmic response.”

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Dr. Rovenia Brock (better known as Dr. Ro), nutrition coach and author of Dr. Ro’s Ten Secrets To Livin’ Healthy, recommends almonds as a healthy snack that can also improve your sex life. “These nuts are rich in zinc, selenium, minerals and vitamin E, all of which are important to sexual health and reproduction,” she explains. “Selenium helps with infertility, vitamin E plays a vital role in heart health, and the mineral zinc helps to produce men’s sex hormones and boosts libido.”

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Not only does chocolate taste good and contain healthy antioxidants, Dr. Ro explains that chocolate contains the feel-good brain chemicals of serotonin, anandamide and phenylethylamine (PEA), which increases endorphins, and all of which contribute to feelings of happiness and euphoria during sex. To get the greatest concentration of chocolate’s antioxidant and brain chemical power, she recommends dark chocolate with 65 to 80 per cent cacao.

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Oysters have a high zinc content, explains Dr. Ro, a mineral essential to the production of testosterone, the male sex hormone, and the maintenance of healthy sperm.

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Yoga is a great addition to a healthy lifestyle and it can put a positive spin on your sex life. “The very practice of yoga gives you a more supple body that can be moved, bent, folded and eased into almost any direction,” Dr. Ro says. “The fact that you can achieve yoga moves is bound to make you feel sexy.”

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Strawberries are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, which is good for overall health but it’s also good for the heart because it increases circulation, making the arteries more supple, Dr. Ro explains. “And in the bedroom, that circulation is key.”

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Dr. Laura Berman, relationship and intimacy educator, emphasizes the need to visit your doctor regularly, including (for women) your gynecologist. “Your physical health and sexual health are linked and when one half of the equation goes awry, the other will suffer as a result,” she says. A visit to your doctor can help ensure that everything is working smoothly and when it comes to your gynecologist, she explains regular pap smears and cervical exams important for detecting potential health issues. Not only that, these visits are also a good time to talk to your doctor about any sex-related concerns you might have.

Make health a real priority and you’ll also see benefits in the bedroom. “When you eat well, stay active, and get plenty of rest, you won’t just see the effects on your waistline—you will also see the effects in your sex life,” Dr. Berman says. “Your libido and sexual response will improve, and you will feel more confident and sexy in your own skin.”

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Just like trying new things benefits your fitness routine, the same thing can apply to your sex life. “When you experiment beyond your normal routine as a couple it only adds to your connection,” says Dr. Berman. “Furthermore, any time you try something adventurous, especially together, it stimulates the Dopamine centres of the brain, which stimulates your libido.” Anything from a new position or product can make a difference.

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Sometimes issues around sex can be caused by medication so Dr. Berman suggests looking at any medications you’re taking that could be hindering sex drive. For example, she notes that oral contraceptives can lead to decreased sexual desire in women. Talk to your doctor about any medications that could be interfering with your sex life.

Life needs to have an element of fun in order to be balanced and healthy. A relationship is the same. “Many people let the fun in their relationship fizzle. Life is hectic, but you should always make time to enjoy each other’s company,” recommends Dr. Berman. This in turn will keep your sex life stimulated.

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“Kegels are an absolutely essential part of sexual fitness,” says Dr. Berman. By clenching and releasing the kegel muscles (the muscles which control your urine flow), she explains you will strengthen your pelvic floor and tighten your vaginal muscles. As a result, your orgasms will be stronger and more frequent.

Stress causes all kinds of health issues and can also mess with your sex life so it’s important to avoid trying to do too much, says Dr. Berman. “We can’t do it all, and trying to do so just leaves us harried, frazzled, and grumpy.” But, she explains that when you are relaxed and happy, your sex life and your relationship will benefit as a result.

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Relationship expert and author Laurel House recommends eating asparagus as part of a healthy diet and as a potential boost to your sex life. “Asparagus is filled folic acid, an essential for moms to be, but it also increases histamine production, making it easier to reach orgasm.”

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House explains that in addition to easing an upset stomach, ginger has also been known stimulate blood flow and increases sensitivity in the erogenous zones.

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Garlic might not sound sexy, but it has a few body and bedroom benefits says House. “Garlic is known to stop a sore throat in its tracks while boosting the overall immune system, plus, ripe with allicin, it ups blood flow to the genitals, making sex feel better,” she explains.

Coffee in moderation keeps many of us going on busy mornings, but overdoing it can be a no-no when it comes to sex. “Overindulgence in caffeine can affect sexual performance,” explains Dr. Josh Axe, an expert on superfoods and nutrition. Luckily, coffee is one of the things that Canadian pay less for.

The more whole, fresh foods you have in your diet the healthier you’ll be--and the better off you’ll be in the bedroom explains. Dr. Axe. “Chemicals in these foods may affect sexual performance,” he notes.

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