Sex and Intimacy in Midlife

Let’s talk about it

This episode takes on sex and intimacy in midlife, working through listener questions and concerns.

We cover understanding your sexual needs and boundaries, healthy boundaries in sexual relationships, and keeping emotional and physical intimacy alive in long-distance relationships. We get into the psychological roots of sexual anxiety, how to work through it, and building a healthier relationship with your body in intimate contexts.

We also talk about the impact of chronic stress on sexual well-being, causes of pain or discomfort during intimacy, the impact of medications on sexual desire, exploring sexual identity in a healthy way, and the timing of sexual relationships with new partners.

Throughout, the conversation comes back to self-awareness, communication and consent.

Chapters

• 00:00  Introduction to sex and intimacy in midlife
• 03:08  Understanding sexual needs and boundaries
• 09:03  Healthy boundaries in sexual relationships
• 13:55  Maintaining emotional and physical intimacy in long-distance relationships
• 21:54  Psychological roots of sexual anxiety and working through it
• 29:01  Building a healthier relationship with the body in intimate contexts
• 34:21  Building a healthier relationship with your body
• 34:49  Understanding and communicating sexual preferences
• 35:27  The impact of chronic stress on sexual well-being
• 43:21  Causes of pain or discomfort during intimacy
• 49:22  The impact of medications on sexual desire
• 53:17  Exploring sexual identity in a healthy way
• 55:22  Timing of sexual relationships with new partners

Key takeaways

• Understanding sexual needs and boundaries is essential for healthy relationships.
• Maintaining emotional and physical intimacy in long-distance relationships requires open communication and regular check-ins.
• Self-awareness and communication are key to building a healthier relationship with your body.
• Chronic stress can have a significant impact on sexual well-being.