Sleep Your Way to a Better Sex Life
You’ll find a lot of information out there these days about how to improve your sex life.
Hormones, ways to add romance into the equation, sometimes even medication…everything you could possibly need to know. Right?
Maybe not.
While all of the above is helpful (and sometimes necessary), one important item is missing from that list. Something so basic, it shouldn’t even need mentioning.
We’re talking about sleep.
You may think sleep has nothing to do with your sex life. You may even think of the two as mutually exclusive.
But research suggests otherwise:
- One recent study in The Journal of the American Menopause Society showed middle-aged women with sleep problems were twice as likely to report issues with reduced sex drive or lack of enjoyment compared to better-rested women.
- A 2009 study reported a strong link between sleep apnea in men and sexual issues such as erectile disfunction and reduced libido.
- Sleep apnea and insomnia have both been linked to a number of sexual problems in women.
On the flip side, sex can actually promote better sleep. Orgasms stimulate the release of estrogen in women and prolactin in men. Both enhance REM and deep sleep.
Orgasms also increase the production of endorphins…the “feel good” hormones that help you to relax. And relaxation leads to better sleep.
So if sleep is so important for a healthy sex life, what are some good habits to help you improve both?
Healthy Sleep Habit
- Make Bedtime a Ritual
- Turn Off the Screens
- Cut Out Caffeine Before Bed
- Get Enough Exercise…But Not Before Bed
- Separate Sex Time from Bedtime (Maybe)
Most people can’t just flip a switch and fall asleep after the age of 40. There’s a good chance your mind won’t shut off as easily as it did when you were in your 20s.
So send your mind and body some “it’s bedtime” signals. Here are some suggestions:
Schedule your bedtime so it happens at the same time each night. And make sure you go to bed early enough to get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep per night.
Start getting ready for bed about 30 minutes before it’s actually bedtime.
Dim the lights in your bedroom as you’re getting ready for bed.
And speaking of lights…
Blue light from screens like TVs, laptops, and smart phones keeps your brain from getting into sleep mode. Turn off those devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and many soft drinks will make you alert and energized…not relaxed and sleepy. And caffeine can stay in your bloodstream for up to 10 hours. Stick to decaffeinated beverages after mid-afternoon if possible.
Regular exercise helps your body to process the chemicals and hormones created from stress, making it easier for your body and mind to wind down at bedtime.
However, vigorous exercise right before bed will energize your body when you should be relaxing. Try to schedule your exercise for in the morning or afternoon.
And avoiding vigorous activity right before bedtime might also mean…
Sure, sex makes you feel good, and orgasms are relaxing and may help you to fall asleep more easily. But for many people, sex at bedtime energizes them instead. If you’re one of these people, right before bed may not be an ideal time for sex.
And…let’s be honest…any sexual performance issues are likely to be magnified at the end of the day when you’re tired.
There’s even anecdotal evidence to suggest that morning sex may be more likely to be enjoyable and fulfilling. The possible reasons why aren’t hard to understand:
- You’re more rested and relaxed after a good night’s sleep.
- Men’s testosterone levels tend to be higher in the morning.
- Levels of stress hormones like cortisol are lower first thing in the morning.
Want to Learn More?
At Renew Youth we know your New You needs to include quality sleep and a great sex life. Balanced hormones can help with both.
Want to learn more? To schedule your free consultation, call us at 800-859-7511 or use our contact form.
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