Is tiredness destroying our sex lives?

If the words ‘not tonight’ sound familiar, you’re not alone. A recent study shows that our 21st century lifestyles are taking a serious toll on our sex lives, with seven out of 10 couples claiming they’re ‘too tired’ for sex.

Is tiredness destroying our sex lives?
Is tiredness destroying our sex lives?
(Image credit: Rex Features)

If the words ‘not tonight’ sound familiar, you’re not alone. A recent study shows that our 21st century lifestyles are taking a serious toll on our sex lives, with seven out of 10 couples claiming they’re ‘too tired’ for sex.

If the words ‘not tonight’ sound familiar, you’re not alone. A recent study shows that our 21st century lifestyles are taking a serious toll on our sex lives, with seven out of 10 couples claiming they’re ‘too tired’ for sex.

Seven out of 10 couples claim they cannot muster enough energy for regular sex, according to a recent survey conducted of 3,000 volunteers.

SIZZLING SEX TIPS

Dealing with tiredness has become a regular part of our lives – results show that most of us feel either mentally or physically exhausted for three days of the week and seven per cent of us feel drained every day.

Balancing stressful jobs with family, friends and an active social life has a huge impact on our energy levels. We can’t do everything and it seems that sex is no longer a priority amidst all life’s other pressures.

WHY SEX IS GOOD FOR YOU

‘Instead of having some quality time with their other half beneath the sheets, it seems many would rather just catch up on their rest,’ says pharmaceutical expert Louise White from the organisation that conducted the survey.

Poor quality sleep was revealed to be the biggest cause of overtiredness, followed by long working hours.

Two-thirds of us only consider having sex at the weekend when there’s no pressure to get up early the next day.

Partners coming to bed too late was another common reason for being too tired for sex. And it turns out that our ‘bedtimes’ are pretty strict – with more than 50 per cent of us considering 10pm ‘too late for sex’ and 25 per cent refusing sex as early as 9pm.

All this is putting our relationships under strain with half of us arguing with our other halves over a lack of sex and 17 per cent of those surveyed saying that it caused a relationship to end.

So it sounds like we all need to reassess our priorities. And remember - beds are not just for sleeping in. MORE HEALTH NEWS