Turning 40 is a huge milestone in your life. As exciting as it is, there are a lot of things that can change for you when you hit the 40 mark. While some changes are physical, others are emotional and some others are psychological.

One such inevitable change is the transition into menopause. Even before you hit menopause, your body goes through a lot of changes, starting with the decline in estrogen levels in the body. Some of the changes that take place due to decreased estrogen levels are changes in your menstrual cycle, hot flashes, irritability, sleeping problems, vaginal dryness as well as decreased sex drive.

With sex being an integral part of life and for any relationship, your decreased libido might also take its toll on your sexual life. Do not get anxious or worried with the changes and your decreased sex drive, we have some simple tips that will help boost your sex drive and let you enjoy a healthy sex life even in your 40’s.

Pay attention to your body:

When you hit 40’s you will start noticing that your metabolism slows down while you transition to menopause. Your weight also shifts gradually to your chest, abdomen and shoulders from your thighs and hips. This might just be a good time to start adding energy building activities to your daily schedule. Studies have shown that an hour of workout not only boosts your mood but also leaves you feeling good about your body. Workouts improve blood flow in your body which in turn pumps in “the feel good chemicals” known as endorphins in the body. Testosterone levels in your body also increases after a workout which can leave you feeling sexy. However, be careful not to overdo it as extremely strenuous activity can lead to a decrease in the testosterone levels.

Include activities such as aerobics workouts, running, swimming or brisk walking to your daily routine. Cardio is a great way to burn calories in your 40’s and it also protects your heart and also builds your muscle strength. Take spinning classes or yoga classes as this helps too. Yoga might just be the activity that works for you as yoga trains you to stretch your limits and move out of your comfort shell in a very non-reactive way. It also helps you stay disciplined and you will notice how easy it is for you to be present to things that matter such as the amount of food you eat, what you eat and more.

 Pay attention to your lifestyle and diet:

Do not forget to pay attention to your lifestyle and diet as just working out alone will not you produce the changes you seek. Make it a point to wake up early and work out in the morning as studies show this is the best time to work out. Morning workouts are great for kickstarting your metabolism for the rest of the day. Also, follow a strict diet and always make it a point to have 3 balanced meals. This does not mean that you have to eat plain and boring food. Identify days in the calendar (no more than 4 days per month) when you can cheat on your diet. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and cut back on processed food and junk food. Eat fast food as a last resort and always drink plenty of water. Drinking calories (juices and sodas) are very easy ways to kill gains made through working out. Many high calorie liquids contain lots of carbs and very little protein which does little to make you feel full.

Bring in a novelty item or do something spontaneous:

Finally, be open to trying new things with your partner as this helps boost your sex drive. This is because when you are in a stable relationship the chemical dopamine, which is responsible for fueling your sex drive, quiets down. Exciting or novel things such as a wild vacation, roller coaster rides, introducing a sex toy or lingerie, it stimulates the production of dopamine which in turn gives your sex life a boost. Get creative and do something spontaneous!

Keep these tips in mind and make those changes and you will be happy to see how it benefits your sexual health when you are in your 40’s.

Erectile dysfunction is not entirely avoidable, but there are steps you can take to avoid developing it. Much of what happens to our bodies as we age have to do with changing body chemistry. This change in body chemistry is not then matched with a change in our behavior and then our body cannot keep up the form we want it to. We have to adjust as we age to reduce our risks of many problems.

Exercise to Keep Testosterone Level Higher

Low testosterone levels play into erectile dysfunction. While your body will produce less testosterone as you age, some of it decreases because you no longer exercise as much as you once did. When you are a child, you exercise without even thinking about it, but as the responsibilities of adulthood take over it can be easy to let your activity level wane. You should step up your exercise level in order to increase testosterone.

Keep Your Weight in Health Limits

Exercise can help with this one too, but keeping your weight down also helps make sure your testosterone is at the right level. The less weight you put on, the more likely you are to keep your sex levels working properly. Staying thin also helps keep you feeling good about sexual contact which helps keep you away from erectile dysfunction from developing.

Eat Right, Balance is Key

Your body is a balance of chemistry, minerals and functions. By eating correctly you allow your body to process food properly and build the strength and proper levels of all the hormones and levels in your body. The more closely you adhere to a balanced diet the more likely you are to keep erectile dysfunction at bay. Your body can not work properly if you are putting bad food into it and it cannot metabolize things properly.

Reduce Stress Levels

Stress is a leading cause of erectile dysfunction. You need to find healthy ways to deal with your stress in order to keep working properly. You need to be able to separate yourself from your outside pains and problems in order to focus on the positive sexual energy. This can mean meditating, having rules about dealing with work at home or even just taking a walk to release your problems of the day.

Stay Inspired, Take the Time

Busy schedules often lead to erectile dysfunction. If you have been married for a long time, you need to take the time to be with one another. You have to reach out and stay inspired. This can mean taking mini weekends away, or planning sex so that you make sure you stay in the habit. Erectile dysfunction can sometimes come from the lack of use and then you expect it to be normal when you finally do. You should work to keep your sex life active so you notice any problem as it develops rather than waiting until it is too late.