7 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR SEXUAL WELLNESS

Today, many people are prioritising “wellness” in their lives. But what is “sexual” wellness and what does it entail? As most of us know, physical wellness is something we can take care of with the correct nutrition and consistent movement. It’s also well-known that mental wellness can be encouraged by stimulating your brain with a good balance of study, hobbies, and work. Plus, emotional wellness can be boosted by getting in touch with our emotions through activities like journaling, meditation, and even therapy.

Similar to these other pillars of health, sexual wellness is about making conscious, safe choices that meet our desires and contribute to our overall sexual health and enjoyment. More specifically, the World Health Organization defines sexual wellness as a “state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being concerning sexuality”. This means that sexual wellness is also a critical factor in our physical, mental, and emotional health. At the end of the day, our sexuality is a healthy and natural part of who we are.

The Four Pillars of Sexual Wellness

In recent years, we’ve witnessed a much more open approach in society towards sex. This is mainly due to the increased exposure to unbiased sex education, expert media, content, and therapy and growing awareness around having safer sex. Also, our personal favorite at Passionfruit, there is now far better inclusion of (and accessibility to) sex-related products and toys. But first, let’s slow down and take it back to basics. When it comes to achieving sexual wellness, developing a healthy understanding of your own sexuality is a good place to start. Let’s kickoff by exploring the four cornerstones of sexuality:

1. Sexual Health – includes fertility management, reproductive healthcare, prevention of sexual violence, as well as prevention or management of STIs, and free access to all kinds of contraceptive choices. After all, sexual health relies on our ability to enjoy and express our sexuality free from the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, coercion, violence, and discrimination.

2. Sexual Pleasure – includes consent, privacy, and safety, as well as free and open communication about our desires and boundaries. These things are often reliant on a broader culture around sex and gender providing the space to explore what brings us sexual pleasure, so this category also includes things like freedom of expression, equality and equity, and bodily integrity.

3. Sexual Justice – includes access to public health services, and creating cultural and legal systems that support our sexuality and gender. Sexual freedom requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.

4. Sexual Wellbeing – includes being comfortable with our own sexuality, self-determination, sexual self-esteem, and our relationship to our past sexual experiences—even if they were negative ones.

How Can You Improve Your Sexual Health Naturally?

There are some really easy, natural ways to improve your sexual wellness! At the end of the day, there are some simple habits that anyone can adopt to improve the standard of their sexual life right away. These have to be followed on a regular basis though. For instance, consistently eating healthy is important for boosting vitality and contributes to your sex drive, which is needed to improve performance. Here are some more tips to be more sexually intimate with your husband, wife, or partner:

1. Educate yourself: take the time to read up on sex and sexuality. Not just the practical stuff like contraception and sexual hygiene, but topics like pleasure, and anatomy. Giving yourself a well-rounded sex education will not only make you more informed about something that’s a big topic in almost all of our lives, but it’ll also help you make smart choices inside and outside the bedroom.

2. Plus, the fun stuff – masturbate: this allows you to explore your body and, when done together with a partner, can increase intimacy while you learn more about each other. Likewise, masturbation helps both men and women to increase self-esteem and body confidence.

3. Explore sex toys and products: sexual wellbeing also means stocking up some basics in the bedroom, from contraceptives to your favorite type of lubrication, massage oils, and even some fun toys.

4. Remember to be fully present: being fully aware during sexual encounters increases pleasure, intimacy, and connection. Increase your awareness of what your partner is feeling and think purposefully and intentionally about your behaviour in a sexual situation.

5. Keep up the exercise: can activities like yoga increase libido and improve sexuality? You bet! Not only does exercise increase blood flow and energy levels in both men and women, but it also decreases stress, which is the most common libido killer. Yoga for sexually active is just the beginning though, there are many types of activities that will keep you in good shape both in and out of the bedroom.

6. Keep the hydration station flowing: does water boost libido? Some studies say yes! Dehydration lowers the amount of blood flowing throughout your body. The result is limited blood flow to that part of the body that needs it the most during sexual encounters. Increased blood flow is what keeps things working the way they should.

7. Regularly check in with your doctor or sex therapist: there’s nothing shameful about having medical professionals take care of any issues or answer any questions you may have. Remember to get tested regularly. It’s important to keep checking up on your body’s needs.

Your Sexual Wellbeing, Your Way!

Sure, you can find plenty of practical guides offering physical tips for better sex to people of any gender or anatomy. But good sex doesn’t just involve your body. Your emotions and mood also play a critical part. You need to find the balance that works specifically for you. It’s also helpful to keep in mind that better sex might not happen overnight, but dedicated efforts toward increased health and mindfulness can only help you. This stronger connection within yourself will certainly pave the way toward a powerful, more deeply satisfying sexual connection with others.