What's Mindfulness Got to Do with Sex?

Sexuality is an essential part of who we are, and it is an energy source that stays with us in every interaction that we have. It’s not just about who we love or the activities that we prefer to engage in; it also includes how we communicate, how we feel about ourselves, and how we understand the importance of healthy relationships.

And yet sexual health or dysfunction is not a subject that is frequently discussed, even with our closest friends. Many find the topic to be embarrassing or too personal to share with others. Often, when we cannot share our experience with someone, it leaves us feeling alone and filled with shame. However, sexual health issues, which encompass our physical, emotional, mental, and social sense of wellbeing, are more prevalent than we realize. Symptoms of sexual dysfunction frequently show up as anxiety, experiencing pain, low libido, or depression. Sexual health changes across the lifespan and the issues that arise are varied.

Mindfulness is the practice of actively paying attention to the present moment and observing our thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way. This allows us to not be controlled by our negative thoughts or emotions, but to be able to experience the current moment. Mindfulness is a tool that we can use to help understand our bodies, emotions, and thought patterns. When practiced regularly, it can help alleviate stress, self-judgement, pain, anxiety, and depression.

Mindfulness is an empowering tool that we can use to feel more satisfied with our selves, improve our sexual health, and direct our attention to connection instead of performance.