Fear of the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to improvements in people’s love lives, the study found.
Couples who are most afraid to die from the deadly Covid virus have experienced a significant increase in libido.
It turns out that during a pandemic, people are more likely to have sex, experience higher libido levels, and are more adventurous in the bedroom.
Research by psychologists at the University of Lisbon shows that people who are worried about their survival have more sex to ensure the survival of their genes.
But everything is not as rosy as it might seem. Measures to control the spread of Covid-19 are thought to have a detrimental effect on people’s mental health. A recent study found that people experienced a particular increase in anxiety and depression during the first severe constraints in 2020.
Being alone at home also caused a lot of tension in many relationships.
But a recent study published in the Journal of Sex Research shows that it has also benefited many relationships, especially when men are afraid of their lives.
The researchers surveyed 303 men and women in close romantic relationships about how much they were afraid of falling ill and dying from Covid-19.
At the same time, data on libido and whether the respondents’ sex life has improved or worsened during the pandemic were also collected.
The results revealed significant improvements for those most afraid of the virus spreading around the world.
But there was little change in the sex lives of those who perceived the pandemic easily. In a report on the findings, the researchers write: “Fear of Covid actually benefits some relationships.”
“Although stress usually has a negative effect on libido, negative experiences of the environment can paradoxically improve it. This is especially true when people are forced to adapt their lifestyles in response to life-threatening conditions. ”
Studies have found that one in five adults has tried something new during sex as a result of a household session, such as fulfilling their sexual fantasies or trying to have sex in unusual places.
Dr. Abigail San, a London-based clinical psychologist, explains that for some people, the fear of dying from the virus causes an evolutionary reaction to reproduction.
“Our own mortality threat encourages us to try to pass on our genes. But many people who live in fear are also looking for simple consolation in the vicinity of their partner. For some, the arcade and the pandemic have brought about real improvements in the relationship with their partner. But for others, it has had the opposite effect. ”