This being Lent, it is now more customary and less for religious reasons that persons do without some indulgence for the season.

Now, not everyone is going to give something up for this period although most who do, decide on something like chocolate or alcohol. But some try and give up the big vitamin 'S'. Easier said than done.

"Once you've had sex, you start counting days, hours, weeks and all that until you get some again," says Jerome. So giving up sex voluntarily for 40 days is not in his plans. If you are in a relationship, communicating the idea to your partner is essential. You can't just spring it on them at the last minute. Ideally, couples, for instance, would probably make the decision together.

Right reasons

Some argue that abstaining from whatever your vice is should be for the 'right' reasons. Among the agreed ones are: giving up should be a way of learning self-control, to free the mind from the chase after material things; to identify with Christ's sufferings, and remember what the true pleasures are for followers of Christ; plus, as an act of sorrow over our wrongdoing. But some simply do it to test their willpower, nothing religious at all.

If you're going to give up sex, there are some things you can try.

Prayer - For the more religious among us, this never hurts.

Don't overthink it - The more you tell yourself you don't want it, what you're unwittingly doing is reminding yourself about it. Like the person who's on a ledge and says, 'Don't look down'? They inevitably do, and if you do, the probability increases you'll fall!

Substitute - Find other activities to enjoy with your partner.

Keep occupied - Pretty much like the above tip, except this one's for single people. Take up a new hobby or something.

Lay off the porn - Don't think that reading or watching 'blues' will help tide you over. On the contrary, it will probably just tempt you more.

Additional info sourced from www.spirithome.com