12 Surprising Things That Boost Your Libido

Changing your daily routine in these simple ways can improve your sex life, no fancy herbs or weird spells required.

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Horror movies

Increasing your adrenaline is a proven way to boost your sex drive. There are a number of ways to do this, but one of the easiest doesn’t even involve you getting off of your couch. When watching a scary movie, a person’s adrenaline naturally rises as a result of fear. Not to mention, watching horror movies is a great excuse to cuddle with your partner! (Find out how the pandemic might be scaring away your libido.)

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Regular exercise

If you don’t exercise enough, you’re more likely to have a low libido. But exercising excessively is not ideal, either, so follow the Goldilocks rule and maintain a healthy workout routine. Physical activity boosts energy, as well as serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine levels, while enhancing your circulation—all of these things make for a better sex drive and sex life.

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Talking about your relationship

You might think that having a talk about your relationship is the least sexy thing you can do, but that’s not the case. Often, a low sex drive is the result of problems in the relationship, both inside and outside of the bedroom. If you feel like your relationship is lacking passion or that your partner has hurt you in some way, your mind and body won’t be too keen on getting in the mood. Talking through these problems with your partner and coming up with a solution or compromise can get rid of those sexual blocks and increase your desire.

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Green tea

Green tea does wonders for your overall health; it can reportedly help you lose weight and keep your mind sharp. It is also a libido booster, as it contains natural chemicals that increase energy and endurance. Green tea also has caffeine, which has been shown to increase sexual desire (especially in women). But one of the reasons people love to drink green tea is because it has a calming effect, which also improves sex drive.

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Zinc

One of the easiest and most effective ways to up your sex drive is to up your intake of zinc. Hailed as the best natural libido booster, zinc works because it has been proven to increase testosterone levels in both men and women. (By libido definition, higher testosterone levels result in an increased desire for sex.) You can easily pick up zinc supplements from your local drugstore, or you can choose to eat foods that are naturally high in zinc, such as lamb, chicken, spinach, and pumpkin seeds. You’ll also want to try these 19 aphrodisiac foods that are guaranteed to spark romance.

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A relaxing bath

Taking a nice bubble bath with some candles and wine nearby can make for great personal time, but it’s also a good way to increase your sex drive. Stress is one of the biggest factors that negatively affect libido, so it follows that relaxing activities are just what the doctor ordered. A calming bath is also a very sensory experience; the feeling of being enveloped in warmth, the smell of the bath bomb you’re using, the sound of splashing water…

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Eco-friendly lotions and cosmetics

You may never have heard of parabens before, but many consumers have been making the switch to paraben-free cosmetic products. Parabens are the chemicals that preserve your beauty products and help keep unwanted bacteria at bay. However, they have also been linked to hormonal disturbances. Parabens can raise a person’s estrogen levels, which can cause a decline in sex drive in both men and women. (You might want to consider switching them out for pheromone perfume instead.)

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Solid sleep

Not getting enough sleep can mess up many aspects of your life, such as energy levels, work performance, and mood. And lack of sleep also means a lack of testosterone. Testosterone is the main chemical in your body that drives your libido, and studies have found that the less you sleep, the less testosterone you have. It’s hard to do when you’re caught up in the rat race of life, but getting your recommended eight hours is essential to a healthy sex life.

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Sunbathing

We don’t advise that you lay out under the blazing sun for hours, since that increases your risk of cancer, but taking in a healthy amount of sunlight does increase your sexual desire. First of all, it increases serotonin levels, which makes you happier in general. Secondly, it decreases your melatonin level, which is a good thing because melatonin is responsible for inhibiting your sex drive. Lastly, vitamin D works to increase your testosterone level, which is important if you want to get it on. Here are 31 more steamy tricks to boost your libido.

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Wearing a sexy outfit

If you don’t feel sexy, you won’t be in the mood for sex—it’s just that simple. Lack of self-confidence and self-esteem can seriously weaken your sexual desire and interfere with the pleasure you receive from sex. (This is another reason why maintaining a healthy workout regimen is important.) But you should never underestimate the power of a sexy outfit! When you wear something that makes you feel confident and attractive, that confidence will translate to the bedroom. Check out these other tricks to boost your confidence.

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Aromatherapy

Essential oils that contain lavender and vanilla work wonders when it comes to relaxation. When you feel at ease, you are more likely to desire sex. Aromatherapy is also a great way to relax and to strengthen your desire because it taps into your basic human senses, affecting you physically as well as mentally.

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A massage

Getting a massage can greatly reduce your stress by putting both your mind and body at ease, helping you to feel more limber and calm. What makes a massage especially helpful for enhancing your sex drive is the sense of touch. Get your partner to give you a massage as a form of foreplay. It will stimulate both your sex drive and your level of intimacy. Don’t miss even more all-natural ways to boost your libido.

Taylor Markarian
I have a B.A. in Writing, Literature & Publishing from Emerson College. I write for several lifestyle and entertainment publications, such as Alternative Press, Revolver, Your Tango, and The List. I'm a sucker for dogs and a hardcore kid for life. Let's start talking.