Has Covid-19 destroyed your libido?

Lockdown libido loss is for real. Stress, fatigue and sorrow have run over our regular routines, and taken our emotional and physical health for a toss. Hashtag India explores the toll this has taken on the sex lives of people with inputs from Dr. Anubha Singh, Gynecologist.

Lockdown would have been an ideal opportunity to get close with your partner and spend some quality time, but it hasn’t been the case for a lot of people. But, between caring for your quarantined family members and trying not to catch COVID-19 yourself, sex might be the last thing on your mind. Let’s be real, the days since 2020 March have been plenty stressful. The uncertainty brought about by the pandemic, and the fact that no one really knows when this might end, has resulted in widespread panic. Between a global pandemic, anxieties have been skyrocketing unchecked. Will schools reopen in September? Will I still have a job come next month? Are my family members and loved ones safe enough? You have every reason to feel swamped.

Absent Privacy

Even apart from all the anxieties, most couples in India have also been facing the issue of considerably compromised privacy. Certainly, one of the frequent issues is no time, no energy, and no privacy. Intimacy is often a natural result of two individuals who desire a closeness, merging or fusion of themselves but for those who share their home with partners, family members or kids, intimacy is scarce. Shefali Arora, (name changed) a teacher, shares that very few boundaries delineate us while we eat, sleep, work and navigate the same space all day long. The more we are aware of the other members in the house, the less appealing is the idea of getting intimate with your partner. “There is also the added burden of physical work due to non availability of house maids,” says Shefali.

The pandemic and related concerns about health, income, work, children and the uncertainty of it all can leave us feeling overtaxed and under-resourced. You can’t be stressed and have great sex. You need to feel at ease, and safe. There are a lot of obvious reasons why people can’t relax right now.

When the body is stressed, it releases cortisol, a hormone that causes us to feel withdrawn and pressured. Our body will pull resources from anything that’s not essential to our basic life functions. It also decreases the release of testosterone in your body, making it hard to desire intimacy. When cortisol is raised for long periods of time, say, during a worldwide pandemic, it impacts everything from digestion, to immune function, to body fat storage, and the ability of your brain to process and react to sexual cues. So even people who typically have a high sex drive may experience a decrease in desire.

Treatment Unfortunately there is no simple pill that people can pop, forget about their problems and get to their normal sex life. The pandemic has been taxing on all our basic life functions, and sex is one of them. Eat healthy, exercise frequently, and work on maintaining a healthy emotional relationship with your partner. Acknowledging and discussing your sex life with your partner is always a healthy habit, and will help you stay on the same page, and be considerate of each other. Taking care of each other, and of your own physical, emotional, and mental well-being will keep you healthy in the long run, and once times get better, you can always find that spark in your relationships. Staying safe and sane are the most important requirements in the chaos that is the Covid-19 pandemic.

You can also take steps to boost your libido on your own. The following have the potential to increase your libido:

  1. Live a healthier lifestyle
  2. Get enough sleep
  3. Practice stress management
  4. Reduce alcohol intake
  5. Counseling
  • You cannot be stressed and have great sex. You need to feel at ease and safe.
  • Cortisol hormone released during stress causes a significant decrease in any possibility of arousal or desire, affecting even those who otherwise have a high sex drive.
  • Stress and no physical activity are one of the major reasons for loss of libido.
  • Acknowledging and discussing your sex life with your partner is always a healthy habit, and will help you stay on the same page, and be considerate of each other.
  • Low sex drive tends to affect women more frequently than men due to significant hormonal changes. These are goaded by fatigue, stress, and other physiological factors.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tre Wellness: A Thoughtfully Curated Healing Retreat Near Hyderabad

Just two hours from Hyderabad, surrounded by open skies, birdsong, and the calming calls of peacocks, Tre Wellness feels more like a serene healing sanctuary than a typical wellness escape. Located in Kolkunda, the 20-room retreat blends Ayurveda, naturopathy, and mindful hospitality into a deeply restorative experience. Sinduri Vuppala shares her stay at Tre Wellness, where every detail is thoughtfully designed around holistic wellbeing. I honestly didn’t know what to expect before arriving. Wellness retreats often promise transformation, but very few manage to balance authentic healing with genuine comfort. Tre Wellness surprised me because it did both, thoughtfully, quietly, and without feeling performative. The experience began on a warm and welcoming note the moment we checked in. Before anything else, there was a detailed wellness questionnaire followed by a one-on-one consultation with the in-house doctor that lasted close to 30 minutes. It didn’t feel rushed or standardised. The doctors genuinely tried to understand lifestyle patterns, health concerns, stress levels, sleep habits, digestion, and overall well-being before suggesting therapies. What stood out immediately was how personalised everything felt. Rather than placing guests into fixed wellness packages, the team carefully blended Ayurveda and naturopathy based on individual needs. By lunchtime on the very first day, each of us already had a customised healing plan prepared. My therapies began with an Abhyanga massage, and from there, every treatment felt intentionally curated. Day two was Udwartana, an Ayurvedic dry powder massage therapy known for stimulating the lymphatic system and activating pressure points and improving circulation, while another involved a deeply relaxing potli massage. Reflexology is also given daily for around 15 minutes as part of the healing routine. There were also mud packs, liver treatments, water yoga, face yoga, detox therapies, and herbal treatments woven seamlessly into the schedule. Every guest follows a structured

A Slower Side of Goa: Elements by Rosetta and Evenings at Ouzo Delmar

There’s a version of Goa that doesn’t try too hard to be seen. It’s quieter, a little more contained, and far more rewarding if you let yourself slow down. That’s the space Elements by Rosetta fits into. Set in Varca, slightly removed from the busier stretches, the property feels designed to hold you in, not isolate you, but gently detach you from everything outside. You’re close enough to the beach, but not constantly aware of it. Instead, the focus stays within, on space, light, and how you move through it. The layout is simple but effective. Low-rise blocks frame a central pool that becomes the heart of the property. Most rooms face into it, so no matter where you are, there’s always a visual connection to water. Check-in is smooth, without the usual over-explaining. You’re handed fresh coconut water, branded, yes, but still refreshing enough to land in your room, within minutes. Room tariffs typically range from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000, with higher rates for premium categories. The jacuzzi room with direct pool access is easily the one to pick. It changes the way you use the space entirely. You’re not scheduling pool time, you’re stepping in and out of it between everything else. The pool itself carries most of the day’s energy. Some people are stretched out with books, some in the water, others parked by the poolside bar, which adds just enough movement to keep things from feeling too still. It never tips into being loud, which is what makes it work. Mornings are slow. Afternoons are slower. Evenings naturally find their way back to the jacuzzi or a quiet corner of the property. It’s indulgent, but in a way that doesn’t feel forced. Beyond the obvious, the property is fairly well-rounded. There’s a small game room, a gym,

Eat Clean with Eshanka: Dubai to Delhi Wellness Journey

With her professional base in Dubai and strong roots in Delhi, Eshanka Wahi brings together global business acumen and deeply personal purpose. An alumna of the European Business School, London, where she earned her Master’s in International Business, and a BCom (Honours) graduate from Delhi University, her academic foundation is firmly strategic. But her real education, she says, came from lived experience. At 21, she returned to India to build her first company from the ground up. “Those early years taught me resilience, decision-making, and the courage to build something from scratch,” she reflects. By 23, she had expanded independently into Dubai, navigating a new culture and market. Each transition strengthened her belief in “intentional growth, self-leadership, and manifestation backed by consistent action.” Wellness as Philosophy Eshanka describes her professional identity as rooted in holistic wellness, conscious living, and culinary nutrition. “My work is not confined to a single title; it is an extension of my beliefs and the way I choose to live,” she shares. Her journey into wellness unfolded organically. What began as personal exploration evolved into a calling. “Wellness was never just an interest; it was a philosophy and a responsibility.” Through recipes, products, and immersive experiences, she aims to simplify well-being. “Wellbeing is not a luxury; it is foundational to how we show up in every role we play.” Soul-Driven Creation What distinguishes her brand is alignment. “Everything I create is deeply soul-driven,” she says. Nothing is trend-led or mechanical. Her recipes use ingredients she personally trusts; her products reflect practices she follows; her retreats are designed to foster genuine reconnection. “This alignment between my beliefs, my lifestyle, and my work naturally differentiates me,” she explains. “Everything is built from authenticity, intention, and soul.” A Pandemic Pivot During COVID-19, her primary company in corporate events and

MUMBAI | Holistic Wellness Practitioner, Celebrity Yoga Expert & Founder, Anshuka Yoga

Anshuka Parwani’s life has always revolved around movement, but its meaning has evolved with time. A holistic wellness practitioner and celebrity yoga expert, she grew up learning yoga under her mother’s guidance, building an early foundation in mind-body awareness. Alongside that, she was a competitive athlete and went on to become a national-level gold medalist swimmer. Later, she trained as a commercial pilot, an experience that shaped her discipline, focus, and resilience. But it was a serious accident over a decade ago that altered her trajectory. “My recovery journey through yoga did not just rebuild my physical strength,” she reflects, “it transformed my understanding of healing, inner power, and holistic health.” That period of rebuilding reshaped not just her body, but her philosophy. Today, she channels that lived experience into her work, helping others discover strength, balance, and conscious living. Wellness as Foundation Anshuka describes herself as a wellness entrepreneur and educator. “I want people to reconnect with their bodies and their inner selves, and build strength in a holistic and sustainable way,” she says. Her approach is rooted in firsthand transformation, through movement, breathwork, mindful living, and conscious nutrition. For her, wellness is not indulgence; it is infrastructure. “When people feel stronger, calmer, and more balanced, it changes the way they live and relate to the world,” she explains. Personalised, Not Performative What sets her apart is her bio-individual approach. “No two bodies are the same, and wellness should reflect that uniqueness,” she says. Blending traditional yoga with functional movement and scientific application, she prioritises sustainability over spectacle. She rejects extremes and trend-driven practices. Instead, her philosophy centers on consistency, integrity, and authenticity. “Wellness is not about shortcuts,” she emphasises. “It’s about building a foundation that supports you for life.” Building Beyond the Studio From private sessions to retreats,

You May Also Like

Connect with us