Sex is an important part of life and overall well-being. Your sexual well-being goes hand in hand with your overall mental, physical, and emotional health. Grow your relationship by having intimacy through discovering your partner’s wants, needs, and desires to have a better sex life.
Sex is a normal part of life. Do you want more excitement? Stimulation? Satisfaction? Here are some ways to improve your sex life.
Researcher/Writer: Michelle Rivas
Editor: Caitlin McColl
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
Voice Over: Amanda Silvera (http://www.youtube.com/amandasilvera)
Animator: Kevin
Youtube Manager: Cindy Cheong
References:
DeSeta, M. (2021, May 13). How masturbation can improve your sex life. Psychology Today. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-sex-therapist/202105/how-masturbation-can-improve-your-sex-life
Davis, N. (2019, July 30). Does being fit really affect your sex life. Healthline. www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/fit-sex#overview
Ferguson, S. (2020, January 28). Does Masturbation Have Positive or Negative Effects on the Brain? Healthline. www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/masturbation-effects-on-brain
Hall, K. M. (2021, July 8). How Does Lack of Sleep Affect Your Sex Life? GoodRx. www.goodrx.com/conditions/low-libido/how-lack-of-sleep-impacts-sex-life-libido-fertility
Hensley, L. (n.d.). 5 ways exercising will affect your sex life – AAPTIV. aaptiv.com/magazine/exercise-affects-your-sex-life
Jiannine, L. M. (2018). An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 7(1), 57. doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17
Kelly, M. P., Strassberg, D. S., & Turner, C. M. (2006). Behavioral Assessment of Couples’ Communication in Female Orgasmic Disorder. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 32(2), 81–95. doi.org/10.1080/00926230500442243
Mallory, A. B., Stanton, A. M., & Handy, A. B. (2019). Couples’ sexual communication and dimensions of sexual function: A meta-analysis. The Journal of Sex Research, 56(7), 882–898. doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2019.1568375
McManus, M. R. (2022, January 29). Why exercise is also good for your sexual health. CNN. www.cnn.com/2022/01/29/health/exercise-good-for-sexual-health-wellness/index.html
McNichols, N. (2022, December 1). 7 Healthy ways to improve sexual desire. Psychology Today. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/everyone-top/202212/7-healthy-ways-improve-sexual-desire
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Depression – What You Need to Know
Depression is more than just feeling sad or down for a few days. It’s a serious disorder that affects your feelings, thoughts, and actions over time and can lead to problems with work, school, and family. It can even cause suicide. Depression, like many other health conditions, can be treated. But it’s important to seek treatment early.
Depression can be treated with therapy (talk treatment) and medicine or a combination of both. Your health care provider can help you decide what’s right for you.
A few changes in your daily routine can often ease depression symptoms. Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can exacerbate depression symptoms, so aim for at least seven to nine hours each night. Try to minimize stress. Too much stress can aggravate depression, so find ways to reduce it in your life.
Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. Aim for five to six servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and drink eight glasses of water.
Exercise can improve mood and may help you sleep better. It can also lift your self-esteem and help you feel better about yourself. Choose activities that you enjoy, and don’t push yourself too hard to achieve results.
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can help you understand and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that contribute to depression. There are many types of psychotherapy, and it may take some time to find the right one for you. Talk to your primary care doctor for a referral. You can also ask friends and family members for suggestions. Some communities have support groups for people who have depression.
Medication can sometimes ease depression symptoms by changing your brain chemistry. These medicines may take 4 to 8 weeks before you notice an improvement in your mood. Your provider will also consider other health conditions that you have and whether they might affect your response to antidepressants. For example, some antidepressants can interfere with certain blood thinners or other medications.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, talk to a crisis counselor as soon as possible. You can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Hotline or text TALK to 741741. A crisis counselor can listen and help you find the right resources to help you.
Depression is treatable, but it takes time and commitment to recover. It is normal to have ups and downs in your recovery, but the key is to keep trying. Seek help when you need it, and be patient. Getting treatment is the best way to prevent depression from returning.
