It may be hard to believe, but did you know that we need stress to survive? It’s true. In small doses, even high stress can be good for the body. Stress triggers our natural fight-or-flight response, releasing energizing endorphins into the brain, sharpening our memory, and boosting our resistance to disease and infection. Hectic or stressful times are also what make the more peaceful moments so enjoyable. For instance, meeting a crazy deadline allows you that afterglow of accomplishment, while handling a difficult situation with poise reveals strengths you may not have discovered otherwise.

But while occasional stress can be invigorating, chronic stress takes its toll on your body and mind. Too much pressure and too little reprieve allow the body’s stress response to last longer than it was intended. The long-term effects can include impaired immune function, a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, and depression. And it’s no surprise that sex tends to become infrequent or nonexistent when one or both partners experience chronic stress. When you’re fighting an overloaded mind and a worn-out body just to stay on top of things each day, it’s easy to let sex fall to the bottom of the list.
Examine your day-to-day life to identify what’s causing your chronic stress. Maybe you’re responsible for caring for an elderly parent, are in an unhappy relationship, or simply worry too much about the small stuff. Then make it a priority to figure out ways to better cope with whatever’s stressing you. Your health — and your sex life — depend on it.