Are Gen Z having less sex? Or are we just juggling too many things to prioritise it? (Picture: Getty)
Sex and exercise – both get you sweaty and release endorphins, but is Gen Z only interested in prioritising one?
We all have that one friend who’ll check their Strava notifications before their Hinge matches, or will skip out on a late night hook up in favour of hitting the squat rack first thing.
And while it’s easy to laugh off rumours of Gen Z being in a ‘sex recession’, maybe there is some truth to it all?
A recent survey of more than 2,000 UK adults found sex is not a priority for four in five Brits aged 18-24, with more than a fifth of participants saying that they would prioritise a workout.
In fact, getting a full eight hours sleep, staying out late with friends, and pulling a late shift at work all trumped getting laid, according to the study carried out by erotic audio platform Bloom Stories.
Young people are struggling to find time to express themselves sexually (Picture: Getty)
But, it’s not so straightforward. It’s not that Gen Z don’t want to be having sex, they just don’t have the capacity or time for it.
And it’s not hard to see why. Currently, young people are juggling a mounting housing crisis, employment decline, global warming, mental health issues, and ongoing political chaos.
No wonder no-one has the time to get hot and heavy under the covers or snog a stranger in the street.
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Sex expert and editorial firector at Bloom Stories, Jaimee Bell, tells Metro: ‘Research shows that physical intimacy has a key role to play in supporting our wellbeing. The problem is the busyness of our modern lives and the pressures we’re surrounded by, which leave little room for play.’
And now that we’re moving into colder and darker months, fatigue is only going to become trickier.
How to feel sexy when you’re lacking energy
Sex expert Jaimee Bell recommends trying one of these three things when you feel as though you want to prioritise having sex but you’re struggling to find the bandwidth or time:
- Seize the moment – ‘Life has a habit of getting in the way of sex, so intimacy can’t always be our number one priority – even if we’d like it to. The key is to start small. Give yourself permission to seize windows of time where you can disconnect from the outside world and focus on play – whether by yourself or with a partner.’
- Try intimacy anchoring – ‘Introducing habit stacking’s sexier twin. Like habit stacking, intimacy anchoring is about slotting a new habit into your normal routine. For example, always taking a little ‘me time’ after your Sunday morning shower.’
- Take the pressure off – ‘Let go of any expectations of what the ‘perfect’ sex life looks like. It doesn’t exist. We all have different libidos, needs and desires. Unlike in the gym, there are no set exercises, and no PB to chase. Simply allow yourself to explore and get curious about what turns you on and makes you feel good. Half the fun is in the discovery.’
And for some young people, getting a sweat on at the gym reaps bigger rewards.
Data has shown that Gen Z spend more time on fitness than any other generation, with almost half (44%) of this age group prioritising exercise in their day-to-day life.
Francesca, 25, shared with Metro: ‘A workout is a guaranteed amount of time where you know you’re going to feel good in yourself, you can control it. Whereas with sex, it might not always leave you feeling good and it can be unpredictable.’
Everyone is different. For Francesca, she personally understands the addictive nature of exercise more so than sex.
Some Gen Z prefer spending their time on a workout because it’s a guaranteed high (Picture: Getty)
For others, prioritising exercise over their sex lives is an entirely connected decision.
‘Maybe there’s a sex recession because young people feel like they need to work out in order to have sex. Even though we’re not in the 90s or 00s anymore, social media and the Ozempic era has definitely taken its toll on people’s perception of a so-called ‘normal body,’ Olivia, 23, said.
Jamiee reiterates this thought, stating that for a lot of young people, the importance of sexual wellness and pleasure has been lost amid ‘the clamour and influencer-driven fitness and nutrition trends.’
‘They’re gaining PBs and picture-perfect wellness routines at the expense of sexual intimacy and human connection, which are just as important for staying well,’ the expert explained.
For lots of Gen Z, there’s still an obsessive desire to fit a certain mould. The bodies we aspire to are on our phone screens now, as well as on our TVs. And worryingly, the rise of AI models means we’re comparing ourselves to people who aren’t even real.
For a lot of young people sex still matters a lot, it’s just a case of silencing the noise and figuring out the best ways to work into our already very hectic lives.
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