Australian Men\'s Fitness - 09.2019

■ Stress is one of the

biggest negative influencers

in sexual health. Stress

affects your psychological

and physical state and can

reduce your sex drive and

performance dramatically,

causing issues such as

impotence and erectile

dysfunction. Stress is

typically a difficult thing to

overcome, but there are

several relaxation methods

that can be effective in

helping to relieve stress.

Yoga, for example, is a great

way to relax and increases

flexibility, making it the

perfect way to improve your

sexual health. If your stress

is deep rooted, however, it’s

worth speaking to your GP

to get medical advice.

■Everyone knows smoking

is bad for you, but it can also

play havoc with your sexual

health. Smoking affects your

blood flow as it causes blood

vessels to narrow, resulting

in less blood being able to

get through to your sexual

organs, reducing your sex

drive and your performance.

Drinking also affects your

sexual health. One or two

drinks can reduce anxiety

and stress, helping you get

in the mood for sex, however

alcohol is also a depressant

and drinking excessively

will result in a low sex drive

and difficulties getting and

maintaining an erection. For

this reason, I recommend

that alcohol intake should be

no more than moderate to

maintain a healthy sex drive.

■ Regular exercise affects
both the body and the
brain, helping us to feel
happier, healthier and
more active. It is also
one of the most effective
ways of boosting your sex
drive and performance.
Cardiovascular exercise,
such as running, playing
football or swimming can
rev up beta-endorphins,
which will cause your heart
to race and blood to flow
more effectively, boosting
your performance. In
addition, strength training
increases levels of growth
hormone, which contributes
to spikes in testosterone

• the hormone of arousal.
  Adding strength training into
  your routine two or three
  times per week has been
  proven to improve sexual
  arousal. When we exercise,
  happy hormones such as
  endorphins are released in
  our brain. Stress is one of
  the most common barriers
  to having a healthy sex life.
  Through regular exercise,
  these endorphins and sex
  hormones are released
  into the bloodstream,
  making you more relaxed
  and focused during sex.

Tips for being better in bed

Smoking and Stress

drinking

■ The food you eat also

influences your sex drive

and performance. A healthy

diet is important for general

wellbeing and maintaining

a healthy weight because it

provides all the necessary

nutrients the body needs to

function. There are certain

foods that you can eat to

maximise your sexual health.

Fresh fruit and vegetables

are integral in maintaining

a healthy sex drive because

they provide antioxidants

that will ensure good blood

flow to the sex organs and

prevent against certain

chronic diseases. Fatty

acids found in olive oil,

fish and nuts will also help

maximise your sex drive and

performance. As well as

eating a healthy diet, there

are certain foods people

eat that are known for being

aphrodisiacs. Oysters are

perhaps the most famous of

them all, as they are packed

full of antioxidants and trace

elements necessary for

good sexual functioning.

They are also full of zinc:

a mineral central to fertility.

Exercise Diet

How to improve sexual health and

supercharge your performance

between the sheets.

Adding strength

training into your

routine two or three

times per week has

been proven to

improve arousal.

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