We know: at the end of the day, you're exhausted. There's peanut butter/drool/don't ask all over the front of your shirt and your living room looks like a small army of toddlers drove through in a tank. Sex is probably the last thing on your mind, but it should be. Getting it on reduces stress, helps you sleep, reinforces your bond with your partner, decreases his chances of having a heart attack, boosts your immune system … you get the drift.
It can be hard to put away your "to do" list and shut out the rest of the world to get into the mood. Luckily, we have a few scientifically proven (and surprisingly easy) ways to help.
Get Your Yoga On
Yoga involves coaxing your body into physical postures, or "asanas," while practicing careful breathing techniques called "pranayamas." The end goal? A sense of mindfulness, or being in the present. Yoga's ability to unite mind and body has already been shown to help men with sexual dysfunction, and evidence is, er, mounting that yoga boosts women's desire, too.
Get a Little Competitive
Want to up your chances of having an orgasm next time you have sex? Pay attention to how other women act around your man and if they seem attracted to him. According to a study out of Oakland University, that's a surefire way for us to get all hot and bothered — not so much that we find our partner handsome but if other women do, too. It's an evolutionary science thing but also the plot of like, every rom-com ever made.
Sleep More
When we get enough zzz's, we're in a better mood, think more clearly, and have energy to spare. A new study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine shows that sleep is also crucial for sexual desire. Female participants in the study slept an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes. But for every additional hour they slept, their odds of having sex the next day went up a whopping 14 percent! Dreamy.
More from The Stir: Sleeping Naked Could Save Your Marriage
Watch an Adult Movie
Maybe you've heard the rumors that adult movies are a relationship killer, but a new study published in Sexual Medicine shows that isn't necessarily the case. Researchers found that watching "sexual films" (a term that sounds like a throwback from the 1950's) actually increases a man's sex drive and desire for his partner. It can even help men who have trouble getting and keeping an erection. The takeaway: After the kids are asleep, skip watching another ep of House of Cards and go for something naughtier.
Get Your Man Moving
According to researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, men who do two hours of strenuous exercise like running or swimming each week (or 3.5 hours of moderate exercise or 6 hours of light activity) had more sex, better erections, and stronger orgasms. What's in it for you? Getting it on with a man in great shape, not a couch potato.
More From The Stir: 1 Thing That Could Turn Your Husband Into a Dynamo in the Sack
Turn Off Your Phone
We all practically live online these days, and as a result, we're now having less sex. According to a study out of Cambridge University, back in 1990 (when "tweet" was something a bird did) couples had sex five times a month. Now, it's just three. Researchers point to our dependence on smartphones and laptops as the reason. If you want to recharge your sex life, we suggest letting the batteries on both run down a little more often.
Use Emojis :)
A Match.com study of over 5,000 women between the ages of 20-40 found that single women who use emojis have more sex than those who only text words. (Only words! How old-fashioned!) And women who specifically use the kiss-related emojis are more likely to have an orgasm, perhaps because they "value communication" more. Get texting! 🙂
Like What You See
File this one under "Duh," but the truth is, we all forget: The better you feel about yourself (read: body image), the better sex you're going to have with your partner. Science people say so! When you're at peace with your weight and feeling like you've totally got it going on, that's when your sex life is really going to steam up.
More from The Stir: 5 Ways to Have Fun in Bed Even if You Feel 'Fat'
