Panda Syndrome – Is Your Relationship Suffering from It, Too?

If you’re asking yourself what panda syndrome is and what it could have to do with your relationship, this article gives you the low-down. Anyone who finds they resemble pandas in one specific characteristic should be on alert about their relationship. Find out why below.

What is panda syndrome?

When it comes to pandas, the first thing we think of is giant pandas in a zoo. But what does that have to do with a relationship? If you look a little more closely at the traits of giant pandas, it’s clear to see that many relationships are affected by panda syndrome.

Pandas may be cute but they are also incredibly lazy. Instead of having sex, they are just insanely fond of cuddling. This has left many a zookeeper verging on despair, as any species that doesn’t reproduce is in danger of becoming extinct. As a result, a number of unconventional methods have been used in an attempt to help pandas reproduce – such as showing the animals films designed to arouse them or, if that doesn’t do the job, resorting to artificial insemination.

Has your relationship gone into hibernation? Are you living together happily without sexual desire? If so, the likelihood is you’re both suffering from panda syndrome, characterised as a lack of interest in sex. Don’t get the wrong impression though: we’re not talking about a brief lull in your sex life here, which happens in every relationship from time to time, especially when couples have been together a particularly long time. We’re talking instead about relationships where a couple feel so comfortable and secure with each other that they don’t need sex at all. In these cases, all passion has simply been lost. Usually, however, those affected don’t really see it as a negative thing at all. Yet naturally, it can sometimes lead to one person in the relationship starting to miss sex and beginning to look elsewhere.

Why do we turn into pandas in a relationship?

First of all, there’s nothing wrong with feeling comfortable and secure. The only problem comes from the fact that security and passion are in opposition with each other, so to speak. ‎The early days of a relationship, in particular, are filled with passion. You don’t know what things you will be trying out with your new partner or what new experiences you will share as a couple. It’s exciting. Yet if you’ve already been together for a long time, you know your partner. You know what they like. And in many relationships, the excitement and passion of the early days all but disappears.

Many people are comfortable with this lack of sexual desire and don’t see it as a problem. Yet despite panda syndrome, we are all governed by our sex drive. As a result, one person in the relationship may find themselves yearning for sex and possibly even beginning to look elsewhere for it. In addition, sex also releases hormones that promote bonding, reinforcing feelings of togetherness and thus helping to strengthen the relationship. Shorts periods where couples lose sexual desire are entirely normal in a relationship. But if you notice that the passion has completely gone and you have absolutely no interest in having sex with each other, you need to take action to combat so-called panda syndrome.

Things you can do to fight panda syndrome

First of all, it’s important to recognise that you’re more similar to pandas than you think 😉 Then, your next step should be to talk to your partner about it. Maybe he or she feels the same. You can then work together to reignite your sexual desire. There are also a few things you can try that can help you enjoy a ‘normal’ sex life – or indeed any kind of sex life – once again:

1. Outside stimulus: If you only ever spend time as a couple, it’s obvious that you’ll become completely and utterly used to each other. How about spending an evening with friends again sometime? Or each of you doing something separately with your own friends before meeting up somewhere in the evening? People from outside can also bring fresh impetus into a relationship – if only so you have something to talk about again.
2. Escape the daily routine: Sticking to what you know is nice, but it means you rarely get to experience anything new and exciting. To leave everyday life behind them, couples can try going out and celebrating together, enjoying a nice meal out at a restaurant or going on a special day trip. This allows couples to break with their usual habits. It can also have a very positive impact on your sexual desire. You’ll be amazed what a difference that can make in itself.
3. Set your imagination to work: A lack of passion in the bedroom can often be because everything is always the same. You only ever try the same position and you always have sex in the same place – your bed. If that’s the case, you should try using your imagination a bit more. How about having sex in a completely new place or experimenting with completely new and exciting positions? Let your imagination run wild and just take things as they come.
4. It’s all about time: Pouncing on each other at the end of a long, stressful day – it may happen at the beginning of a relationship but at some point, it just becomes too much effort. Take your time instead. Just spend a couple of hours alone with each other from time to time at weekends, when you have enough free time and the stress of the week is behind you. No smartphones, no TV, nothing. A massage can be helpful to get you in the mood, for example. Physical contact with each other, allowing yourselves plenty of time and relaxing – it can be the perfect way to oust the panda from your relationship.

Every relationship goes through dry spells without much sex, especially when you’ve been together a long time. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve let the panda creep into your relationship. Yet if the fire has completely gone out and you’re happy just to cuddle, it could be that your relationship is suffering from panda syndrome. And it’s time you did something about it!