‘It’s just hard to get into the mood’: Couples who are quarantined together say they are having LESS sex than ever before – with many blaming anxiety and kids being home all the time
- People opened up to Vogue about their sex lives during the global crisis
- Many of the interviewees said their libidos have dropped and are having less sex
- Anxiety was the main reason for their lowered sex drive, but some parents said working at home with their children has also taken a toll
- Psychologists said that sex could help relieve anxiety during this difficult time
Couples have admitted that they’re actually having less sex amid the coronavirus pandemic despite having ample time to be physically intimate while quarantined at home.
When Vogue asked people to open up about their sex lives during the global crisis, many of the interviewees shared that their libidos have dropped thanks to mounting anxiety over the novel virus and plummeting economy.
‘I thought my husband and I were going to have a ton of sex with all the time we were spending together and being un- and underemployed, but we’ve probably had sex twice since this all started,’ Nicky, 38, told the publication.
Sexual struggles: People have opened up about their sex lives during the coronavirus pandemic, saying anxiety has derailed their libidos (stock image)
The creative director, who is in her fifth year of marriage, added that they’re ‘definitely staying close and cuddling,’ but there is ‘not a lot of action.’
Nicholas, a 27-year-old publicist, said he and his boyfriend of five years have been drinking more alcohol, but that hasn’t translated into more sex.
‘Since New York’s stay-home order went into effect, our wine consumption has gone way up, but the frequency that we’re having sex has gone way down,’ he admitted.
Both Nicky and Nicholas said anxiety is the main reason for their sex drives slowing down while they’re hunkering down at home.
Psychologist Dr. Alexandra Solomon told Vogue that practicing social distancing has also made people afraid of physical contact, and ‘for some couples there’s a contamination fear that may be part of it too.’
Meanwhile, logistics has become an added issue for parents who are struggling to work from home while managing their children’s school schedules.
‘There’s no playbook for this, and every day we’re trying to juggle and figure out school schedules for the kids, our own work schedules, and who can do what when,’ said Hugh, a 42-year-old father of two young children.
Iris, his wife of 12 years, admitted that her ‘intense’ anxiety during this stressful time has made it ‘hard to get into the mood.’
The 40-year-old content strategist openly wondered whether having more sex would help relax her more.
Sex therapist Dr. Laurie Watson told Vogue that sex can indeed help those who are struggling with anxiety during this difficult time, noting that it ‘physiologically releases hormones that give us a sense of being grounded and connected.’
Dr. Mehmet Oz, 59, has also recommended sex as the cure for fighting the quarantine blues.
‘The best solution, if you’re holed up with your significant other quarantined, is have sex. You’ll live longer, get rid of the tension,’ the talk show host told TMZ last month.
‘It certainly gets some stories. Maybe you’ll make some babies,’ he added. ‘It’s certainly better than staring at each other and getting on each other’s nerves.’
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