20 Natural Ways to Boost Your Libido

Summer is here, and with it comes the call of romance. We all know summer love is a thing, so we're looking at the top ways to naturally boost our libidos to give our minds and bodies a leg up (pun intended) during the hottest of seasons. Keep reading to learn more about how simple changes to our routines and diets can make all the difference in our passion meters.

Who doesn't feel sexy sitting in a warm, silky bath? One of the easiest and most effective ways to get ourselves in the mood is to incorporate the healing effects of water into our routines. Warm baths help us destress, loosen our muscles and increase our circulation, which—if you think about it—is kind of like having an orgasm.

This is actually a two-fold approach. Setting the mood with candlelight is a long-celebrated tradition of lovemaking, but did you know that certain scents can also make us feel frisky? Sweet floral scents like rose, lavender and jasmine, as well as woody scents like cinnamon and sandalwood, are known aphrodisiacs that, when included in candles, don't just smell amazing and create romantic lighting, but can also help rev up our libidos.

Depression and other forms of mental illness don't just make day-to-day living complicated, they also often make lovemaking one of the last things we want to do. It's important, not just for our sex lives, but also for our overall sense of well-being, to take care of our mental health and get the right treatment. Once our fog has lifted, we might just find that a renewed sense of passion emerges, too.

It turns out that stress (which affects an astounding 8 in 10 Americans) is one of the biggest libido killers. Not only does stress make us seriously not in the mood, but over time, too much cortisol (that's the stress hormone) can actually impact men and women's production of the sex hormone testosterone, as well. There is good news, however. Researchers have found that arousal can counteract cortisol, which is great incentive for your partner to help in the de-stressing department.

Along with relieving stress and addressing our mental health, self-care is a critical way to recharge our batteries and potentially fire up our sex drives. Whether your idea of self-care involves face masks, chocolate, hikes in nature, luxurious massages or dining at your favorite restaurant, make sure it's something that feels as if you're plugging into yourself, which will allow you to later express that positive energy in other ways.

If low sex drive is a recurring problem, it might be worth a visit to the doctor to discuss your symptoms. Some medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, hormonal imbalances and more, can lead to a loss of libido but need a doctor's supervision to treat effectively.

Sometimes, it's as easy as slipping on something that makes you feel truly good in your skin to ignite your passion. Whether it's a tight outfit that shows off your curves or something loose and flowing (or even some sexy lingerie), find clothes that allow your inner vixen to shine through and see if your libido isn't suddenly making an appearance, too.

The way our body responds to exercise is similar to the way our body responds to sexual excitement. It increases blood flow, lessens stress and has a powerful serotonin-boosting effect, giving us more confidence to be sexy. Try picking exercises you can do with your partner, and see what happens when you both hit the showers after.

Erotic fantasies have the power to excite our minds, but sometimes, we might be afraid to share what turns us on with our partners. Although psychologists who specialize in sex counseling caution about oversharing personal fantasies (especially ones that may involve third parties or fringe behaviors), they do agree that communication about sexual desire is a healthy relationship habit. Talking about your romantic fantasies can make sex more exciting and satisfying, therefore increasing your libido in the process.

Since the Roman Empire, oysters have long been considered a natural aphrodisiac. While science has yet to prove this theory true, there are a few chemical reasons why slurping these briny bivalves might be good for your libido. Loaded with zinc, amino acids and serotonin-increasing B12 vitamins, oysters not only taste delicious, but they also can help with the production of testosterone and pleasure receptors in the body, which theoretically, could also help ignite our sex drives.

As with oysters, there's no scientific proof that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables can speed up your libido, but there's plenty of anecdotal evidence to support the theory. Along with packing super high levels of body-nourishing vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and folate (which has to be good for, eh, performance), some suggest that the phallus and vulva-shaped foods (like asparagus, carrots, cucumbers, split pears, peaches and papaya) can also turn us on by mere association.

Fatty fish, creamy avocados, oil-rich nuts, eggs and even heart-healthy oils are great ways to nourish your body from the inside out and may help boost your libido, as well. Not only do these foods help your body perform at peak levels, they also provide essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and selenium, which can help with our sex drives. Plus, it's no secret that fats can create lubrication in the body, therefore increasing arousal.

For those of us who really want to eat healthier but can't always manage to follow through, adding a daily multivitamin is a great way to make sure we're getting all the cell-building nutrients we need to be healthy. Of course, a healthy body is the first step toward having a healthy libido. Check with your doctor before adding any vitamin or herbal supplements to your diet.

Not long ago, the age-old theory that hormonal birth control caused decreased libido in women was found to be untrue, thanks to a recent study. However, antidepressants, also known as SSRIs, can put a damper on your passion, but that doesn't mean you should stop taking them. If you're taking antidepressants and notice you're not in the mood as often as you used to be, talk to your doctor. They can help you find a solution that will keep your mental health in check and keep your libido in working order.

We all know a drink (or two) can lower our inhibitions and make us feel frisky, but it turns out alcohol can diminish our sex drives, too. Although booze has a relaxing effect on our brains, it also has a myriad of ill effects on our bodies, including lowering testosterone, making orgasm harder to achieve and increasing sexual dysfunction (because of less lubrication and difficulty maintaining erections). Therefore, it's a good idea to cap our alcohol intake to one drink or simply stay sober when it comes to sex.

Is there such thing as a sex soundtrack? While many of us know the benefits of adding music to our lovemaking sessions, few realize just how powerful melodies can be for our libido. If your sex drive is waning, try listening to songs that make you feel sexy. Our favorite? "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye. In one less-than-scientific study, a majority of participants agreed that any song by Marvin was enough to get them in the mood.

Maybe, just maybe, the explanation behind your lackluster libido is boredom? If you and your partner have fallen into a sexual rut, why not take a trip together to an intimate apparel and toy store in your area? From state-of-the-art toys and bedroom games to sexy lingerie (and more), these retailers have their finger on the pulse of passion.

No, we're not telling you to watch a film genre that rhymes with "corn" (although hey, no judgment), but we are suggesting that romantic films might get your blood pumping in the right places. Whether "50 Shades of Grey" is your cup of tea, or you're more into romantic historical dramas (we really liked "Love in the Time of Cholera"), finding a film that inspires your libido is a win-win in our books.

This is almost a no-brainer. If you're not getting enough sleep, it's highly unlikely you're going to be in the mood to have sex, thanks in part to a drop in our testosterone production. Make sure you're getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep each day (even if it means taking a nap in the afternoon) to give your body the necessary rejuvenation to have a healthy, energized libido.

One of the most powerful ways we can improve our libido is to make sure the person we're intimate with is someone who makes us feel happy and safe. If we have frequent conflict with our partners, it's hard to maintain a healthy physical connection, leading to a downswing in our sex drives. By making a commitment to build a positive, loving and encouraging relationship with our partner, whether through counseling or communication (or both), we can reignite the flames of passion and kick our libidos back into high gear.