Thick thighs save lives. #Facts. But we've also learned the hard way what happens when our thighs rub together for too long.
Chafing. That type of pain hits different. I've had times where I've literally had to ice my inner thighs because I wanted to show out in a pair of shorts. But chafing has been an issue for far too long. And we can't let it get in the way of our summer plans… whatever they are.
There are ways we can wear shorts and sundresses without having to suffer the aftermath of chafing. I might be late to the game, but I've found some solutions and wanted to share the wealth.
Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands
I was seriously missing out in life before I knew these babies even existed! This goes to show how major the chafing issue is and how much it needs to be overcome. The best part is that you could still rock your sundresses with no shame. But wait! There's more. There's also a variety of designs you can select like sheer and lace to the classic from Bandelettes and traditional nylon and/or spandex material. They can be found at most major department stores and of course on Amazon. Keep in mind this product isn't designed to work as a shaper, but rather a barrier that can prevent your skin from rubbing together.
Corn Starch + Coconut Oil = Win
From hairstyling to cooking, coconut oil is the multi-purpose ingredient that keeps on giving. And apparently, there's another way we can benefit from it. When paired with corn starch, it can prevent chafing and irritation, especially inside our upper thighs. The plus side is that it gets your thighs moisturized but not all greasy, because who wants to trade in chafing for sweaty and greasy? You can put some on before you head out for your summer festivities or keep the mix in a container to apply as you go throughout your day. Do you boo!
Get Monistat Stat
I will say, some of us have been ashamed to have Monistat in our bags. But between us ladies, we know that it can help us out… and not just for unexpected yeast infections that make us question our entire beings. Monistat actually has a chafing relief powder gel. Basically, it goes on as a gel but dries as a powder. You can put it between those thighs or really anywhere you experience chafing (which is unfortunately any space where your skin rubs together *insert eyeroll here*). It also serves as an extra dose of vitamin E for your skin, which is also a score.
Good Ol' Talcum Powder
Talcum powder can do wonders on its very own. And you might have already heard about the superpower it has to prevent chafing. Talcum powder allows your thighs to block out any extra moisture that causes chafing, like sweat. It keeps that part of your body nice and fresh, so you don't have to worry about itching and irritation when you should be enjoying your summer.
Anti-Chafe Lube
It only makes sense to lean on a product that's designed to prevent chafing. And we all know lube can help reduce uncomfortable friction in more ways than one. Body Glide for Her is one of the most popular products as it moisturizes the skin without leaving it wet or greasy. It's free of mineral oils, petroleum and lanolin but full of healthy vitamins like A, B, E, and F and keep your melanin nice and hydrated. It also features all-day protection, so you don't have to keep on applying it multiple times. Now you can get back to drinking your water, minding your business and flourishing.
All-Natural Products
As you might have guessed, chafing can be prevented with products and ingredients you probably already have in your own home. One mix is turmeric and water that you can apply between your thighs and wash off after 30 minutes. Another is essential oils like tea tree oil and of course coconut oil. And oatmeal isn't only used for the most important meal of the day. It can prevent chafing when you let it soak on your thighs for about 20 minutes. And there you have it!
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Again, the answer never changes because, if there is one thing that Shellie Reneé Warren is gonna get, it’s 6-8 (sometimes nine) hours of sleep. However, since my chronotype (check out “Ever Wonder What Personality Traits Make Someone A 'Morning Person'?”) means that I like/prefer to write in the wee hours of the morning, sometimes I will sleep for the night for five hours and take a nap in the day. And y’all, that is just fine with me because I am well aware of the fact that napping does everything from give me more energy, heighten my alertness and even make me more creative to decrease stress levels, strengthen immunity, and reduce my chances of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
My problem is I will oftentimes go “overboard” with my daytime zzz’s. What I mean by that is, in order to get the most out of a nap, they say thatyou shouldn’t sleep for longer than 25 minutes or so; otherwise, you could wake up feeling sluggish (I don’t but…). Also, it can make resting, soundly, at night a bit of a struggle.
So, what are you saying, Shellie? We should get quickies in? Yeah. And it’s funny that the word “quickie” would come up because just like a sex quickie can do wonders for you (and it can — check out “12 Super Solid Reasons To Have A Quickie Every Single Day”), it’s a full-circle moment when I say that something that can improve the quality of your sex life is to have a power nap (a nap that lasts between 10-30 minutes).
Wanna know how the two things correlate? Honestly, it’s no secret that sleep and sex work together to optimize both (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”). Today, though, we’re going to tap into how a nap, specifically, can have you partaking in some of the best sex that you’ve experienced in a minute. I’ll explain.
Naps Reduce Stress
GiphyIf you’re feeling super stressed out right now, you are not alone. There is plenty of data out here that says that most of us are stressed for at least a couple of reasons at a time — and that can impact your sexual health on a few levels. For one thing, it can bring about feelings of depression and/or anxiety. Stress can also throw your hormone levels off (including your cycle) which can weaken your libido. Stress can make you want to put distance between you and your partner (yes, literally).
Stress can also make it challenging to get aroused or to have an orgasm. And just what can help to decrease stress? Taking a nap. Since sleep has a way of helping you to “get off of the clock” and relax a bit, that can lower your stress levels and “reset” your body so that you are calmer — and that, in turn, can do wonders for your sex drive and ultimately your sex life.
Naps Improve Your Mood
GiphyThere is one person in my life, and fairly 80 percent of the time, she’s in a super good mood. Oh, but let that girl go without sleep, and…who is this woman? LOL. There’s research behind why this happens. When a person is sleep-deprived, it messes with their brain chemicals, and that can amplify emotions like anger, restlessness and sadness. In fact, one study revealed that people who had their sleep disrupted throughout the night, they ended up having their positive outlook on life reduced by about 30 percent.
And geeze, who wants to have sex when they’re not feeling very good? Anyway, since serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate your moods, your sleep patterns, and your libido and sleep is what helps to keep it in balance — by taking a nap, not only can it help you to feel better, it can also increase your desire for sex (it can also build up your endurance which is also…sexually beneficial).
Naps Increase Your Focus and Concentration
GiphySomething that some of my clients bring up is how, when it comes to having sex, sometimes the flesh is willing while the spirit is weak because, although the desire for intimacy is there, so much is going on that they aren’t able to get still enough to focus on experiencing copulation with their partner. This also tracks because, when you don’t have enough rest, your brain finds itself not working in harmony and that can make it hard to do everything from approaching life with a sense of flexibility to making necessary decisions.
Certain data also reveal that a lack of rest can cause you to have a really poor attention span and not process things in context (the more you know). So, if you really want to get some yet it’s hard for you to focus long enough to make it happen, ask your bae to lie down with you and take a nap. Between the sleep and the snuggling (check out “Fall's Coming: 8 Wonderful Health Benefits Of Cuddling”) — you may wake up with your mind and body totally on the same page. #wink
Naps Can Make You Feel Better About Your Body
GiphyEven if, overall, you feel really good about your body, I think that we all have moments when we feel less attractive than others — and who wants to have sex when they don’t really feel…very sexy? Well, something else that sleep, in general, can do is increase your confidence in your body.
For one thing, if you want to lose a few pounds, sleep can actually make that happen by helping your body metabolize the glucose (sugar) that’s in it so that you can better manage your appetite. Other studies go on to share that since sleep deprivation can impact one’s mental health and emotional stability in a negative way, of course, getting enough rest would increase body positivity.
Shoot, science even goes so far as to say that insomnia can cause people to have an elevated level of dissatisfaction when it comes to their body image. Don’t take their word for it, though. Look in the mirror before a nap. Then look in a mirror after waking up from me. Do you feel better? I’d be surprised if you don’t.
Makes Your Brain Bigger…Which Could Make Your Orgasms Better
GiphyI saved the best for last by design. Now if you’re wondering how in the world a nap can improve (and possibly increase) your orgasms — oh, there is a method to the madness…trust. For starters, the saying that your biggest sex organ is your brain? That isn’t a myth. Long story less long, the brain is what houses your central nervous system and that is what controls how men and women sexually function (yes, literally).
And since the brain also releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin during sex and brain activity significantly increases in women during sexual activity (especially right before she orgasms) — well, would it trip you out to know that when you take a nap, your brain actually expands? A bigger brain (that’s healthy) can potentially intensify your sexual experiences (and your climaxes) — and who doesn’t want that to go down?
____
Like I said earlier, I never have to be convinced to get a nap in. However, if your sex life has been a bit stagnant lately, you’ve been feeling a little sluggish and you’re not sure what to do — I’m hoping that a nap can get you right.
There’s enough science to prove that it can. All you need to do is give it a shot.
Now where’s your pillow and sleep mask, chile?
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