Stress Affecting Relationship: With the speed at which our lives are, or are not, many people are under stress every day. It could be something super small and routine, to something that is just too annoying to process. Some unavoidable events and situations throw us off and we are left confused and stressed, which is probably okay, to take your time and feel better.
However, if you tend to stress and panic over everything everyday, you may need to focus on some upsetting activities. If you continue to feel stressed and under pressure, it can affect you physically, emotionally and relationally. In fact, stress can even have a big impact on your sex life.
How stress can affect sex life
When you are under stress, your body goes into survival mode. So activities like reproduction are kind of put on the backburner. Due to stress, your body prioritizes the functions most important to survival, such as blood flow and heart rate. The importance of other non-essential activities like sex and walking reduces for the body.
Chronic stress can also increase the production of the hormone cortisol, which can lower your libido. For women, this hormone can also disturb their menstrual cycle. If that wasn’t enough, stress can also make orgasm difficult and prevent climax.
Brain and sex
Your biggest sex organ is your brain. If your brain isn’t happy or relaxed, and instead focuses on worrying and stressing about whatever’s bothering you, your sex life may suffer. A distracted brain will have difficulty focusing on pleasure, excitement, and arousal.
Depression and anxiety
Chronic stress can also lead to depression and anxiety. It can also affect your sex life and your ability to get in the mood to have sex or enjoy it. In the case of women, even drinking alcohol to relieve stress will not help, as it can reduce the lubrication of your vagina.
indirect effect
Stress can also indirectly affect your sex life. Stress hormones can affect your metabolism, which can make you feel “not quite” along with experiencing weight fluctuations. If these changes affect how you feel about your body in a negative way, it may also reduce your desire to engage in sexual activity.
What to do?
Timely recognition and intervention can help reduce your stress. Many people take on too much stress on a daily basis, failing to recognize that this may not be healthy for their mind and body, including their sex life.
Practicing stress-relieving activities on a regular basis, such as yoga, exercise, getting a massage, taking a long bath, playing your favorite music, etc., can help reduce stress. While many people find engaging in social activities to be a great way to blow off some steam, make sure you also carve out some much-needed me time in which you don’t just focus on being productive, just taking care of yourself and your loved ones. Spend time in company, without distractions like social media.
Spending intimate time with your partner can also reduce stress. Intimacy fosters feelings of closeness, attachment, comfort, security, and peace—all of which can relieve your stress in an instant.
If your stress is too much or unbearable, make sure you seek help from your doctor or a mental health counselor.
Source: newstrack.com”