6 Ways to Liven Up Your Libido in a Day

If you find yourself feeling a whole lot less friskier than you once were, it can be frustrating for sure. And you’re certainly in good company. A survey conducted by the National Health and Social Life found that nearly 33 percent of women and 15 percent of men lacked an interest in sexual activity for several months at a time. But the good news is there are plenty of easy and all-natural ways to reignite the spark that may have become dim. Follow these simple tricks to spice up your bedroom and help you naturally get in the mood.

Keep alcohol to a minimum.
While pouring yourself a glass of wine or whipping up a cocktail might help loosen you into the mood, it’s best to keep it at just one or two. In fact, excessive drinking is one of the common causes of erectile function. To keep both of your sparks lit, opt for just a couple glasses of red wine, which is a known aphrodisiac and also has resveratrol, a flavonoid antioxidant that keeps blood flowing and has anti-aging properties.

Make some time for relaxation.
Regardless of how demanding your job might be, it can be hard in our technology- and social-media saturated world to remember to unplug from devices and simply relax. It’s something we all need and should be doing a whole lot more of. Plus, stress is one of the biggest reasons people have less sex. A 2010 study reported that postmenopausal women with low sex drives claimed stress or fatigue was their number one reason. Do yourself a favor and put your feet up once in awhile! You (and your partner) will be thankful.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
As they say, you are what you eat! And it couldn’t be more true when it comes to how you feel. In other words, if you’re eating a Big Mac for dinner, you bet your bottom dollar you’re going to feel tired and lethargic thanks to that surge of saturated fats and lack of nutrients. Vitamins are the key to better blood flow and organ functioning, so load up on fruits and veggies like strawberries, avocados, and sweet potato, which bring on vitamins A, E, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Get a good night’s sleep.
You know how important snoozetime is to your ability to function—both in your professional and personal lives. Well, your sex drive also requires nothing short of a good eight hours. In fact, one study published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that men who get less than five hours of sleep a night for a week of time or longer experience lower levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone, than those who get a good night’s rest. Another study found that women who clock in less sleep experienced less genital arousal and vaginal lubrication. Bottom line—make sure you’re both well rested to best enjoy some intimacy together.

Don’t forget about aphrodisiacs.
While there may not be scientific evidence on their effect, certain foods are known to get a rise out of your libido. And who doesn’t need an excuse to indulge in a little chocolate? Chocolates, oysters, figs and hot peppers are said to have aphrodisiacal powers. While tomatoes and broccoli aren’t the sexiest foods in the fridge, they are known to excite your libido as well. You can also try pomegranate juice; its deep sultry color is stimulating and can give you a boost in the bedroom. But be sure to toss out the baked goods and the cheese plate, as refined carbs like white bread are libido killers.

Stimulate your senses.
Studies have shown that scents that are more musky, like cinnamon, bergamot, cedarwood, and patchouli, appeal to your carnal desires and trigger arousal. The smell of rose oil is calming and relieves anxiety, and lavender is a known turn-on for men. All of these sexy scents mingle in our bloodstream and stimulate our pituitary gland, which controls hormone production.