Feeling Sexual Anxiety? 4 Ways Spring Can Help From A Philadelphia Sex Therapist
I’m Erinn, your Philadelphia sex therapist, and many of my clients noticed more sexual anxiety and less sex drive over the past couple of months. Experiencing an increase in this during the winter is common. But spring is a season of renewal and growth, and it can have a significant impact on our sex drives, mood, and energy levels, all leading to a decrease in sexual anxiety.
After a long and dark winter, the arrival of spring can bring a sense of hope and optimism, and many people experience a boost in their overall well-being. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the ways spring can impact sex drive and offer tips for continuing lower sexual anxiety and making the most of this rejuvenating season.
4 Sexual Anxiety Tips for Spring: Your Philadelphia Sex Therapist
4 Sexual Anxiety Tips for Spring to Increase Sex Drive: Your Philadelphia Sex Therapist
Increased Exposure to Sunlight
One of the most significant ways that spring can impact mental and sexual health is through increased exposure to sunlight. Sunlight is essential for the body's production of vitamin D, which is crucial for maintaining healthy bones, but it also plays a role in regulating mood and energy levels, both of which are important when it comes to sex drive. When we are exposed to sunlight, our bodies produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood and promote feelings of well-being. The better you feel in your body, the less sexual anxiety, and the more open you may feel to having sex, increasing your sex drive. Conversely, lack of sunlight has been linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs during the winter months when daylight hours are shorter, which kills sex drive and can feed sexual anxiety.
To make the most of the increased sunlight during spring, try to spend time outside each day, even if it's just for a few minutes. Take a walk during your lunch break, sit outside with a book, or find a local park or nature trail to explore. Pro tip- get out in the sun first thing in the morning, even if just for a minute, as this releases chemicals in your body that help wake you up.
Increased Physical Activity
Another way that spring can impact on lowering sexual anxiety and increasing sex drive is through increased opportunities for physical activity. During the winter months, many people are less active due to the cold weather and shorter daylight hours. The more sluggish you feel in your body, the less you want to have sex. However, spring brings warmer temperatures and longer days, which can make it easier to get outside and be active. Exercise is a powerful tool for improving sex drive, as it can help reduce stress, boost mood, and increase energy levels.
To make the most of the spring weather, try to incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine. Take a walk, go for a jog, or try a new outdoor activity like hiking or kayaking. You might also consider joining a local sports team or fitness class to stay motivated and meet new people.
Increased Connection with Nature
Spring is a season of growth and renewal, and spending time in nature can be a powerful way to boost sex drive and well-being. Research has shown that spending time in nature can help to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase feelings of happiness and well-being. This may be due in part to the fact that being in nature can help us feel more connected to the world around us and less isolated. Either way, the more grounded you feel in yourself, and the more connected you feel to the world, the better you’ll be able to deal manage sexual anxiety, leading to more interest in sex and increased sex drive.
To make the most of the spring season, try to spend time in nature as often as possible. Take a walk through a local park, go for a hike in the mountains, or simply sit outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of the natural world around you. Consider trying an outdoor hobby with your partner such as gardening or simply taking the dog for more walks as a way to connect more deeply with the natural world and with your significant other, which leads us to the next point.
Increased Social Interaction
Finally, spring can also lower sexual anxiety and increase feelings of connectedness through increased opportunities for social interaction. During the winter months, many people feel more isolated and disconnected due to the colder weather and fewer social opportunities. You may have noticed you even pull back from your partner because you don’t feel your sexiest, it’s cold, and you’re not as interested in being intimate or naked together. However, spring brings warmer temperatures and more opportunities for outdoor gatherings and activities, which can help to boost mood and promote feelings of connection and belonging. This can help you feel grounded and connected, which lowers many types of anxiety, including sexual anxiety.
To make the most of the social opportunities of spring, try to plan activities and outings with friends and your significant other. Host a cookout, plan a picnic, or organize a group hike or camping adventure.
Spring is a season of renewal and growth, and it can have a significant impact on your sexual health, sex drive, and sexual anxiety. Winter is a tough season for many due to the lack of sunlight, opportunities to get outside, and drive to hibernate leading to less connection. Take advantage of the days getting longer, sunnier, and warmer to help decrease sexual anxiety and increase your sex drive. It’s feeling better and better out there every day, so get out there and soak up the benefits!
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If you’re interested in individual sex therapy in Philadelphia or couples therapy in Philadelphia, you can read more about how I can help with both by clicking their links.
My specialties include low sex drive, differential desires, communication, managing sexual stress and pressure, and increasing connection.
