Healthy intimacy is one of the keys to living your best after 40. However, for some men, their forties can be when they become less physically active and less concerned about their romantic performance. This is especially true for men raising kids and juggling work and home life.

Plus, this decade presents many new challenges as you start worrying about where you are in your career and thinking about things you used to enjoy but never had the time to do. In other words, the stress that comes with a mid-life crisis could hurt your libido and ability to please your partner.

However, to maintain a positive self-image, stay healthy, and keep relations strong, regular and satisfying intimacy is necessary for most people.

So if you’re worried that the vitality you once had is slipping away, follow these simple tips:

Maintain a healthy diet

Many factors affect men’s libido, but one risk factor that can be easily controlled is your diet. Weight gain and low energy are due to poor eating habits, which, in turn, affect your self-esteem and romantic performance. To stay healthy and confident during your forties, it is essential to keep a well-balanced diet. Include foods that increase your blood flow, such as bananas, chilies and peppers, onions and garlic, and foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. Eggs, in particular, help balance hormone levels and reduce the stress that inhibits erections.

Stay active

Just like healthy eating, regular exercise also helps release the necessary hormones that increase your libido. More importantly, staying fit and maintaining your ideal weight can help make you feel and look better, giving you more confidence in bed or when you’re looking for a potential partner.

Get some sun

Getting a regular dose of vitamin D offers numerous health benefits, so make it a habit to get some sun for at least 15 minutes daily. Sunlight inhibits your body’s melatonin production, the hormone that makes you sleepy and quiets urges. Wake up your libido, especially during chilly months, by stepping outside and letting the sun hit your skin.

Kick bad habits

Bad habits like smoking and consuming alcohol can have a significant impact on your libido. While a glass of red wine can help with circulation, too much alcohol can be bad not just for your libido but for your overall health. In fact, too much alcohol can narrow your blood vessels that can result in impotence.

While studies suggest that a little red wine can improve circulation, too much alcohol can have adverse effects.

Stimulants narrow blood vessels and have been linked to impotence. Cutting down or quitting smoking is one of the first steps to improve performance.

Replacing bad habits with healthy ones, such as exercise and eating well, can help boost libido. However, kicking your drinking or smoking habit can be difficult. A private alcohol detox program might be necessary to make sure you stay on track.

Cope with stress

Stress is one of life’s mainstays. You can change how you deal with it, as it can do wonders for your libido and performance. Stress can be the root cause behind your poor lifestyle choices, which is why you should find ways to manage it. Remember that psychological stress can also affect your libido and keep you from getting an erection or reaching orgasm. There are many ways you can effectively manage stress, from therapy and lifestyle changes to self-care and guided meditations.

Get expert help

Whether you’re single or married and are struggling with lovemaking, you must seek medical advice. Your doctor can help identify the root cause of your problem and suggest a comprehensive treatment plan that could include therapy, lifestyle changes, advanced supplementation, and hormone replacement therapy. With a holistic approach, you could get more positive long-term results.

Communication is key

More often than not, unhealthy conversations around lovemaking among partners can cause distress and a further decline of one’s libido. This is why it’s important that you stay open, honest, and understanding when bringing up problems in bed. If you find yourself unable to do so, it might be best to bring a third party in, like a professional couple’s therapist or relationship coach, to facilitate a healthy exchange between you and your partner.

Your forties can become a stressful time when you’re dealing with libido issues, especially if you’re married. Take charge of your libido and regain control of your life and happiness with these tips.