The Importance of Relationships and Intimacy
“A good relationship has a powerful influence on our health. Taking care of your body is of vital importance and tending to your relationships is also a form of self-care.”
I will use the analogy of planting a garden, since anyone can throw seeds on the ground and say it’s their garden. Can you imagine surviving from this crop? It definitely depends on the work you’ve put in since your harvest reflects your effort. After the honeymoon is over a good relationship does not exist without respect, kindness, dedicated time, work and commitment.
I approached this subject with mild trepidation in the days preceding Valentine’s Day—the one day of the year focused on romance and love. There is a particular amount of pressure applied to couples this day: women prepare while men react. I get a kick out of watching men’s expressions as they select the perfect flowers and card on how they will be viewed to convey their affection. Of course, on average everything is bought at the last minute with very little planning but they know if they go home empty handed, they will hear about in one way or another long past Valentine’s Day.
If your relationship was rocky before COVID, it may have worsened even more since COVID has affected everyone’s lives and relationships in one way or another. According to an article in Psychology Today by Grant Hilary Brenner, MD, DFAPA—based on a study examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Relationship Conflict and Sexuality—34 percent out of 742 partnered respondents “reported increased relationship conflict and decreased intimacy. They reported less hugging, kissing, cuddling or holding hands and solo masturbation three times more often. These finding were confirmed by a recent Kaiser Family Foundation study as they polled U.S. adults and found that over half reported negative mental health impacts due to COVID-related distress, up from 32 percent in March. ”[1]
Let’s return to our garden example; slim-pickings—especially after COVID—, right? As a naturopath, I am certainly not an authority on relationships but I am on health, and on gardening—just don’t ask my wife. In generality, and from a man’s perspective, it is plowing the field and planting the seeds that give an immediate reward for the efforts, what later grows is another matter. I remember when I planted several hundred tree samplings: after a few weeks I returned, and thistles were everywhere, especially around the young saplings choking their survival. They were not growing before so where did they come from?
The secret about gardening is the preparation of the soil; it needs to be tended and nurtured and care must be applied before seeds are sown, so only what is planted grows. When it comes to relationships men are much different than women. To get a man in the mood takes just a wink and smile, and he is ready to go—wouldn’t it make things easier if women worked the same way?
The more mature the garden, the more tending is needed as the soil becomes depleted of nutrients after each crop is taken. You might think that is BS but for gardening that works best for replacing nitrogen and the missing nutrients. The approach taken is very important, especially when feelings and emotions are involved. Did you know that feet have more concentrated sweat glands than any other part of the body? There are about 250,000 sweat glands in the feet which typically produce about half a pint of perspiration a day? Before intimacy a little clean up is in order for it is important to make your approach in your best form—this is like tending the soil. It is the little things that matter most: compliments do wonders so does showing interest and appreciation, also a single flower with no special reason, a gentle touch with a hint of flirting goes a long way.
Let me give you helping hand and some professional suggestions to help replace what time has removed. These simple changes can make all the difference in the world.
- For both men and women HGH+ Homeopathic is a wonder product for endocrine balance. HGH+ is one of my favorites. It takes three months to see results but you are going to love this product; eight drops under the tongue, three times per day.
- For men, Fiery Male, a natural sexual enhancement product is available; three capsules should be taken one hour before intimacy but it is also designed to be a daily men’s supplement, a wonderful helper taken one hour before workouts.
- For women, Progest Liposome Cream, helps with vaginal dryness and balancing menstrual cycle; half a teaspoon twice daily applied to the soft tissue areas with rotate application between the axillary region (armpit), breasts and groin.
- Kava Kava is the next one on the list, it works as a herbal aphrodisiac, sorry guys, it only works for women as it helps calm the nerves and body while relaxing the mind keeping you focused and sharp.
- Foreplay is important so both parties are at the same level of excitement, keeping in mind that lubrication can be helpful, especially one that’s free from toxins and chemicals: Nature’s 4Play is just what the doctor has ordered.
A good relationship has a powerful influence on our health; it is more valuable than money or fame, and it is what keeps people happy throughout their lives. This is the mortar that holds and protects us from life’s discontents even in the midst of a pandemic. They help to delay mental and physical decline and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes. Taking care of your body is of vital importance and tending to your relationships is also a form of self-care. Who would have thought that gardening is such a great investment that rewards with life-long dividends?
Eldon Dahl,
Doctorate of Natural Medicine,
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Life Choice Ltd.
References:
- Brenner, Grant Hilary, MD, DFAPA. 2020. Impact of COVID-19 on Relationship Conflict and Sexuality.
[1] Brenner, Grant Hilary, MD, DFAPA. 2020.
