Catch those Zs: it could have catastrophic results for your sex life if you don’t, according to this new study

All the more reason to hit the hay early

how to have good sex, couple's feet poking out from under sheets
(Image credit: Getty Images / Dean Mitchell)

A good night’s sleep and a satisfying sex life both depend on what you’re doing in bed. To ensure that you're feeling well-rested and experiencing the utmost pleasure, it's crucial that you get some shut eye (science says!). 

According to Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society, women who don't sleep well are nearly twice as likely to experience a low sex drive, a lack of sexual pleasure and distress about intimacy. (We get it, the deed can be stressful, but there are ways to ease tensions.) The study surveyed 3,400 women with a median age of 53. 

This means that you're going to have to stop scrolling through your phone, sip some sleep teas, and get a full eight hours. Worried that you won't be able to do so? No problem—there’s a new show from Netflix and Headspace that will help you to drift off. 

More from woman&home: 

• The best bras for every shape
• The best vibrators for a buzz alone or with a partner  
• The best Maybelline mascaras for a bold look 

Once you're feeling refreshed and recharged, you'll want to turn your attention towards this new sex-related study from The Indiana University School of Medicine and OMGYES. The two joined forces to uncover just what makes sex gratifying for women, and in turn developed four steamy scientific terms that will help women experience incredibly satisfying results (pairing seems to be a favorite). 

You might also want to look up our practical tips for how to have sex outside. (Al fresco dining isn't the only summer activity we're looking forward to this year). Or, if you'd like to recreate a sensual scene from your favorite movie, we have other practical and enjoyable tips for that, too. 

Enjoy those passionate adventures, ladies. 

Danielle Valente

Danielle is a writer for woman&home and My Imperfect Life, where she particularly enjoys covering lifestyle and entertainment news. She was previously the editor of Time Out New York Kids and a news editor at Elite Daily. When she's not working, you can find her reading a good book and enjoying a cup of coffee. Follow her @dvwrites.