Canberrans get pandemic playful as couples seek ways to cope

"People were coming in and just grabbing toys left, right and centre," Mr Hawke said.

"That was the busiest we'd ever been. Usually things pick up around Christmas, but nothing like this."

While the heat has eased for the retailers who stayed open throughout the lockdown, Mr Hawke said for two or three weeks people "just panicked."

Singles and couples, men and women, old and young, lust during lockdown affected us all equally, according to Mr Hawke.

"If we're gonna be locked down, we're gonna have a good time," Mr Hawke reported.

Canberra shoppers relied on the delivery man to bring them their kicks throughout April too, with online provider Adulttoymegastore reporting the ACT saw the biggest surge in spending nationally based on population.

While boring stuff like lubricant was the biggest seller, Canberrans contributed to a bondage board game rising to the high-demand list.

Adulttoymegastore owner Nicola Relph said if people are staying inside and enjoying themselves then it's all good.

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"Those in Canberra where we had the highest sales are trying new things while they self isolate," she said.

Sexologist Kym Robinson provides therapy to singles and couples in the ACT.

Her clients are fairly evenly divided across demographics in regards to age and gender, though she said it tends to be higher income earners which access her services.

Despite moving to telehealth appointments throughout April, Ms Robinson said business was booming.

She said people are more playful in the bedroom than yesteryear since we've reduced the stigma around buying toys.

Ms Robinson said her clients responses during the coronavirus pandemic could roughly be divided into two camps: those who lamented the loss of freedom and took it out on their partners and those who saw it as an opportunity to work on their relationship.

She said the latter were likely to come out of the pandemic stronger.

"Desire is greatly reduced by stress," Ms Robinson said, pointing to remote learning and working from home as added pressure for couples.

"Those who went 'hey, this is my life partner, this is an opportunity to look at what we can fix and what we can do better while we're stuck at home' rather than getting overwhelmed, they're doing really well," she said.