Fix Low Desire in Relationships: Plan Intimacy & Bust Myths with Dr. Nicole McNichols

The Decline in Sexual Activity

• 📉 Gen Z and millennials are driving a significant decline in sexual activity, a trend present across all age groups.
• ⚠️ This decrease is attributed to stress, anxiety, and the general state of the world impacting people's focus on intimacy and pleasure.

Planning Intimacy for Connection

• 🗓️ Planning intimacy is presented not as unsexy, but as a way to carve out time for connection and create an environment where intimacy is likely to occur.
• 🤝 Nonsexual physical touch, such as cuddling and handholding, is a crucial first step in building connection before sexual activity.
• 🧠 Calming the nervous system before connecting with a partner is essential for fostering a mindset conducive to pleasure and intimacy.

Busting Common Relationship Myths

• 💡 Myth 1: Good sex should be spontaneous. The reality is that early relationship sex, often perceived as spontaneous, was actually planned and prepared for.
• 💡 Myth 2: You should want sex before you start having it. For many, physiological arousal precedes psychological desire, meaning physical touch can initiate the feeling of being turned on.
• 💡 Myth 3: Loss of desire means loss of love or attraction. This is a myth, as low desire can stem from relationship ruts, lack of novelty, or personal factors like burnout or resentment, rather than a lack of love.

Rekindling Desire and Pleasure

• 🌮 Novelty in sex, introduced about once a month, is linked to higher sexual satisfaction, and can involve simple changes like new positions, techniques, or using sex toys.
• ✨ Addressing personal factors such as burnout, resentment, or feeling stuck in life is crucial, as these can significantly impact sexual desire and overall passion.
• ✅ Prioritizing sexual wellness and the ability to enjoy pleasure is fundamental to a healthy relationship and personal well-being.