Exercises that will boost your libido

Need a boost in the bedroom? Check out five exciting exercises than can help increase your sex drive and make your confidence in the bedroom soar.

Getting in the mood can be a real struggle for a number of mental and physiological reasons – but did you know that you can rediscover your carnal urges at the gym?

We spoke to Kelli Young, a Toronto-based couple and sex therapist, about the importance of physical activity for maintaining a healthy sex drive.
She shared five types of exercise that can help boost your libido.

1. Exercise that reduces stress

Stress, which we all experience to varying degrees, causes elevated levels of cortisol and clutters the brain. Physical activity, however, releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals that help counteract cortisol levels and generate an overall feeling of relaxation and well-being, and that are oh-so important for sexual desire.

''If our mind is crowded with all of these stresses and anxieties, it is very difficult for us to transfer into a more erotic mindset, which is necessary for sexual desire and arousal,'' says Young.

Try: Yoga. ''It promotes a mind-body connection and allows us to feel more tuned in to our bodies,'' explains Young. ''It teaches us how to breathe, relax and achieve a sense of calm and relaxation.''

2. Exercise that boosts energy

''One of the main reasons women complain of low sex drives is because they’re so tired. They’re multi-tasking all of the time and they’re busy with both work and home life responsibilities,'' says Young. ''Sex often falls to the bottom of our to-do lists and at the end of the day we have no energy left.''

Exercise actually helps to improve energy levels and ameliorate sleep, which is intrinsically tied to our cortisol levels and feelings of stress. ''If we’re less stressed and we have more energy during the day then we sleep better, which gives us more energy during the day, which makes us feel less stressed. It’s a positive cycle,'' she explains.

Try: Walking. Even low- to moderate-intensity exercise, like a quick jaunt around the block, can increase your mental alertness and up your energy levels. Start finding excuses to put on your walking shoes, even if it’s for only 10 minutes at a time.

3. Exercise that increases circulation

According to Young, proper circulation is essential for our sexual function. ''For men, blood flow to the penis is the main mechanism of an erection. For women, an increase of blood flow to the genitals causes engorgement – and that really heightens sensation,'' she says. ''When we have that, we’re more likely to reach higher levels of arousal and orgasm, and when sex feels better, we desire it more.''

Blood flow will also increase lubrication, reducing pain, friction and the risk of developing yeast infections and urinary tract infections.

Try: Running or aerobics classes. These types of exercise will also improve your aerobic capacity and endurance levels, both of which may come in handy in the bedroom.