How to maintain sexual wellbeing during COVID-19

Wellbeing is a fundamental need for human beings. In the Health and Social Care sector supporting the wellbeing of patients sits hand in hand with maintaining their safety and is always given attention and validity. However, it’s fair to say that, during times of stress and adversity, we tend to let our own wellbeing slip.

The current pandemic has put a lot of strain on people’s wellbeing. Whether you’ve been isolating or key working, living alone or living with others, the stark and sudden reality of COVID-19 has been a wellbeing saboteur for many. Sexual wellbeing is not exempt from this rule.

Losing the Mojo
If you are experiencing a dip in sexual wellbeing during the pandemic let us first reassure you: You are not alone.

It is completely normal to have wellbeing dips at times like this. No one wants this to happen, and wellbeing dips should always be addressed, but you should never blame yourself for your psychological defaults kicking in during tough times.

Low sexual wellbeing has been known by many professionals to dip during times of crisis or trauma. The associated low or anxious moods (or mental health conditions) that have increased during the pandemic also recognise poor sexual wellbeing as a symptom. It’s hard but it’s expected.

More importantly, it has a reason and oftentimes knowing you’re not struggling alone or with an unknown is its own help.

But what other practical advice is there? Let’s explore a few.

Write it Right
There is a lot of power in putting pen to paper. 

When we’re dealing with issues in our head they are jumbled, undefined, and erratic. When we write our concerns down we’re taking the time to focus our mind. Problems put to page become physical – something we can see and deal with accordingly. Aspirations become actionable and achievable. Writing really is one of the best therapy actions you can do.

Take the time to write down your struggles, changes, and fears. Write out your worries and then a reasonable counterpoint – as if speaking with a friend you care about. Put an “If I feel/want to act …. Then, instead, I will…” plan and keep it to hand. Deny and defy any recurring negative thoughts that you see emerge in your writing. 

More than this, write down your sexual hopes, fantasies, and desires. Plan fun activities, write what you love about sex, write what you love about yourself. 

Wellbeing is all about actively working towards wellness. Yes, we fight the mental House fires where need be, but we also rebuild, decorate, and work towards forging a heads pace we are comfortable with living in. It’s our primary home, after all.

Love Your Own Body
Masturbation has a certain stigma around it which is totally unfounded. 

Research has shown that people who masturbate are more confident in themselves, communicate their sexual needs better (because they take the time to know them), and experience increased sexual wellness.

In isolation masturbation is even more potent. 

Sex releases feel good chemicals in the body, and the absence in these can cause a general dip in mood. What’s more, these chemicals act to boost the association between sex and pleasure, keeping your sex drive higher. 

The more you self-love with your body, too, the more you’ll love yourself, causing more general wellness again.

Never be afraid to touch yourself, stroke yourself, love yourself. There are few things which will be as beneficial for your sexual wellbeing. 

Explore New Avenues
One of the good things to come put of the pandemic is that people are embracing new skills, hobbies, and experiences. 

This global phenomenon has helped keep people’s mood boosted and embedded an excitement for life – there are new things to look forward to, even in the face of adversity and restriction.

Apply this to your sexual wellbeing by committing to try new sexual acts or sensations.

Maybe you’ve never masturbated before (now is the chance!)

Maybe you’ve never tried sensation play, or lubricant, or sex toys.

Perhaps a kink or two? Something that you haven’t considered before but, on research, you’d feel comfortable to give it a try.

By investing in a new sexual pursuit you nurture an excitement around you sex life and, in turn, boost your sexual wellness.

Invest as little or as much as you want in new pursuits, as long as you’re investing something in yourself. 

Final Say
As with all wellness, sexual wellness is not an innate state of being. It takes work and needs your participation to stay healthy. 

Thankfully you are in full control of how you act when it comes to your sexual wellbeing. 

The power is in your hands (often literally) so don’t neglect yourself. 

You deserve wellness.