According to recent study by Good Housekeeping magazine, stress and tiredness caused by the recession is putting a damper on our love lives.

More than a couple of British couples shy away from getting jiggy under the sheets due to their dwindling libidos and lack of energy, caused by being overworked and being blighted with money worries.

The study of 1,000 people found that couples had more sex a year ago – and they blame juggling jobs, childcare and finance struggles as the culprit.

It seems that sex is no longer on the menu…

“When we are stressed our bodies produced stress hormones which can affect libido very negatively,” explains Relate counsellor, Paula Hall. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that women are more tired than men, but environmental factors like tiredness and mood have more effect on women’s sex drive.”

Lack of libido can be tackled with a simple change of diet with a helping of hot aphrodisiac foods and an even hotter mix of superfoods for sex.

If you need more persuasion to knock you out of your sexless slumber what about this – regular sex can keep you young, stress-free and healthier.

Aside from its obvious benefits (wink, wink), lovemaking can boost your overall health and ultimately make you happier and more relaxed. Plus, you could even shift those stubborn pounds on the scales…

Find out how you can sleep your way to better health…

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• Health Benefits Of Sex

  Besides being fun and pleasurable, sex also offers many health boosts many of us take for granted. Take a look at these surprise benefits of having regular sex...

• Sex... Wards Off Illness

  According to research from <a href="http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/1.asp" target="_hplink">Wilkes University</a>, making love twice a week releases an antibody called immunoglobulin A or IgA, which helps protect the body from infections and illnesses. Other research suggests that frequent ejaculations in men reduces the risk of prostate cancer later in life. According to the <em><a href="http://www.bjui.org/default.aspx" target="_hplink">British Journal of Urology International</a></em>, men who ejaculate five or more times a week, had a lower risk of prostate cancer.

• Sex... Burns Off Calories

  It doesn't take an expert to connect an energetic love making session with burning calories. Just thirty minutes of action under the sheets burns off around 85 calories. After 42 half-hour sessions, you could burn 3,570 calories, which is the equivalent of 1lb in weight. By having sex three times a week for a year, you could burn off the equivalent of 5lbs a year. Who needs a diet?!

• Sex... Relieves Pain

  During sex, a hormone called oxytocin is released when the body climaxes, which increases the level of endorphins that acts like natural a pain relief. This causes the body to relax. Many notice their aches and pains, like swelling, inflammation, headaches and menstrual cramps, disappear after sex and gradually improve with regular action.

• Sex... Helps Beat Depression

  Women who have regular orgasms are generally more relaxed, less depressed and mentally, physically and emotionally satisfied. Regular sex also helps the body sleep better as it relieves tension plus it helps the brain produce serotonin - the chemical that gives the body a 'mood' lift and is commonly found in antidepressants.

• Sex.. Keeps You Young

  Regular sex releases a surge of plethora chemicals into the body, also known as the 'happy hormones', and they contain testosterone. As we age, the level of testosterone decreases, so the more sex you have, the more your hormone levels increases. This surge of hormone help keep bones and muscles healthy - plus it keeps skin looking plump and youthful. In women, regular sex also helps keep the pelvic floor muscles healthy, which decreases the chances of not-so-sexy incontinence later in life.