In our conversations here, in office consultations and on the Sexo Sem Dúvida platform, I always emphasize the important connection between mental health and an active and enjoyable sex life. Today we are going to explore the relationship between a healthy mind, a well-groomed body and a fulfilling and satisfying sex life. Know that there are several habits that can be detrimental to pleasure and satisfaction in various areas of your life, including relationships, work, leisure, and sex life.

Sexual habits are behaviors associated with sexual activity that can vary from person to person depending on their preferences, values, culture, education and experience. Photo: Pexels/ND

Brushing your teeth, smiling at the doorman, engaging in physical activity, devoting yourself to work and school, undergoing psychotherapy, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, taking rest breaks, eating a healthy diet, and taking care of your intimate health are just a few. examples of healthy habits.

In other words, they are actions and behaviors that a person performs consistently and repeatedly in his daily life. Often these actions happen automatically, without the need to consciously think about them.

Please note that I have listed some habits (of course, there are many others!) that play an important role in our lives, as they affect our behavior, our health and activity in various aspects. They can even be positive or negative.

Are you able to identify your habits and understand how they affect your life? The key to appreciating them as positive or negative, and therefore promoting positive change in your life, is understanding how these habits formed, what choices influenced them, and thus learning how to regulate them and promote positive change in your life. . It is worth emphasizing that a well-executed psychotherapeutic process can be a valuable tool on this path of self-reflection and change.

What about sexual habits?

Sexual habits are the behaviors and practices associated with sexual activity that a person regularly engages in in his or her life. Remember that these habits can vary from person to person, depending on their preferences, values, culture, education, personal experiences and even what they have learned about sex and sexuality.

To help you think about habits that may be harming your pleasure, I identify four bad habits: sexual anxiety, pornography consumption, and lack of intimacy and hygiene.

Previously, we talked about sexual anxiety, managing its symptoms, and how to deal with it. It’s important to remember that anxiety can cause sexual difficulties and dysfunction and reduce your pleasure.

Therefore, it is important to find ways to regulate anxiety and stress, such as exercise, supportive psychotherapy, healthy eating, and avoiding bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol, which can affect sexual function and reduce pleasure. Additionally, it is important to deal with unrealistic expectations about sex, and this aspect brings us to the next habit to consider: pornography consumption.

Consuming pornographic materials, whether occasionally or frequently, can often lead to sexual frustration and unnecessary pressure. This includes pressures associated with sexual performance, as well as activities that may be incompatible with communication and intimacy, which are elements that promote pleasure.

Moreover, the constant search for perfection in a sexual context, be it in bodies, movements or positions, can create anxiety and frustration, harming your ability to appreciate the present moment and the pleasure it can bring you.

The busy life that modern times impose on us can lead to a lack of time to develop intimacy, which is worth emphasizing: this is a process that requires dedication. It is important to learn to prioritize moments of emotional and sexual connection with your partner.

A lack of connection can also contribute to unresolved relationship issues such as resentment, conflict, and resentment, which can negatively impact sexual intimacy. Moreover, this disconnect can exacerbate a lack of communication with your partner about desires, fantasies, and concerns, which can also hinder intimacy and sexual pleasure. Establishing open dialogues about sexuality can undoubtedly improve intimacy and, as a result, increase sexual satisfaction.

And finally, although it seems obvious, it still needs to be said: intimate hygiene. Poor hygiene habits of the vulva, penis, scrotum, perineum and anus, as well as the body as a whole, that is, lack of adequate personal hygiene, can affect self-confidence and readiness for sexual intimacy. After all, smell is one of our senses that enhances fantasy, arousal, and sexual desire.

This is not my area of ​​expertise, however I would like to reiterate the importance of strengthening the intimate muscles through pelvic physical therapy. Developing a good exercise habit in this region can not only promote physical health, but also promote greater body awareness and sexual satisfaction.

In conclusion, I would like to ask the following question: considering your habits, how is your sexual health?