Work, kids, stress. It’s enough to make you want to spend the entire weekend collapsed in front of the TV. But we’ve got a better idea. To boost your energy, lift your mood and put a smile on your face, have a sexy, sensual weekend.

Getty: Steward Cohen, Pam Ostrow

Getty: Steward Cohen, Pam Ostrow

Here’s a little advice on getting in the mood:

Break out. Date night is important, no matter how long you and your partner have been together, but jazz it up. Do something you’ve never done before — take a dance class, go to an amusement park, try an adventure sport. You will do more than just spend some quality time together. Novel activities stimulate dopamine, which pumps up your testosterone (the sex hormone) levels.

Turn off the tube. Skip spending yet another Saturday night in front of the TV, and make time to get close. Put on a little music and snuggle up to each other instead.

Break the rules. If you always have sex in your bedroom, try something new. Move your romantic interlude to the living room or better yet, book a hotel room at a place where you can get a couples massage.

Boost your libido. Relax and read a little erotica to get yourself in the mood. Share a hot fantasy with your partner. Or maybe spend a weekend afternoon checking out a sex toy shop  to find something to steam things up.

Set the mood with a scent. No one can enjoy sex when they’re tense. Try lavender essential oils and sachets, or rub each other down with a lavender-scented lotion.

Share a secret. Talking — especially for women — can be a powerful aphrodisiac. The idea is to open up to your partner about things that might keep you apart. Give him or her full access to your heart. Sensual feelings blossom when people feel close, safe and able to trust one another.

About Fierce Fridays — Tips for Weekend Well-Being

We each cherish those precious days off at the end of the week, but increasingly those of us who are charter members of the sisterhood of the stressed and overworked are losing our Saturday and Sunday leisure time to weekend work and domestic duties.

To make sure that you do something every weekend that’s just for you, we’ll be sharing a little advice to make those 48 hours a great time to recharge your batteries, bring a little good news into your life, or discover a quick and easy way to improve your health.