Health Benefits Of Sex
It’s time for us to have THE talk. You may have had “the talk” with your parents already, but we promise you, you will learn way more from this one.
It is taboo to talk about sex in many cultures, and some parents may never have that conversation with their kids. With the ones that do, the conversation may cover various topics, but the health benefits rarely come up in the conversation. So, we thought, with today being Valentine’s Day, it is important for everyone to know that you are actually benefiting your body and mind in several ways by getting intimate. Sex and sexuality are an essential part of our lives. In addition to reproduction, sex can be about intimacy and pleasure. Sexual activity, whether with a partner or solo, can offer pretty incredible benefits to you both physically and mentally.
How Sex Can Affect Your Physical Health:
Researchers in the Department of Kinanthropology at the University of Quebec suggest that sex can be considered to be an excellent cardiovascular exercise. However, sex alone is not considered to be sufficient for your daily workout. Moreover, healthy sex can have all the health benefits of having physical activity such as burning calories, lowering your blood pressure, increasing your heart health. Sex can also strengthen your muscles and reducing your heart disease and stroke risk.
Sex also leads to better sleep. During Orgasm, your body releases oxytocin, which is also known as the “love” or “intimacy” hormone, and endorphins. The combination of these hormones can act as sedation and help you with sleeping better.
Boosted Immune system is another way sex can positively affect your body. A study first published in June of 2004 looks at the relationship between sexual frequency and salivary Immunoglobulin, which is the main class of antibodies present in the saliva and plays a role in preventing illnesses. The study finds that people who had frequent sex (one to two times a week) had more Immunoglobulin A (IgA) in their saliva and people who had infrequent sex (less than once a week) had significantly less IgA.
The health benefits of sex can be different for men and women. For example, researchers at the Harvard Medical School found that men who averaged having 4.6 to 7 ejaculations a week were 36 percent less likely to receive a prostate cancer diagnosis before 70. This data is in comparison to men who reported ejaculating 2.3 or fewer times a week on average.
Healthy sexual activity in women can improve their bladder control, reduce the risk of incontinence, relieve menstrual and premenstrual cramps, improve fertility, and build stronger pelvic muscles. Also, the release of estrogen during sex can make you look younger and more confident.
How Sex Can Affect Your Mental Health:
Confidence and self-esteem are considered to be at the epicenter of your mental health, and solo sex has its advantages when it comes to increasing your self-esteem. Not only does masturbation release the happy hormones that sex does, but it can also have a positive impact on body image for men and women. A little intimate time with yourself can really help improve your confidence and mental health.
Moreover, Dr. Stuart Brody of the School of Social Sciences, the University of the West of Scotland, suggests that sexual activity between two partners can increase satisfaction with your mental health, increase levels of trust, intimacy, and love in your relationships. Getting intimate can also improve the ability to perceive, identify, and express emotions.
Sexual activity can also help you affect your wellbeing and cognitive function as you age. Research out of Oxford University has found that sexually active adults between the ages of 50 and 90 have better memory and are less likely to feel depressed and lonely.
In conclusion, sex is an essential part of all of our lives. Engaging in the intimate act of making love, whether you are doing it with a partner or flying solo, can significantly benefit your body and mind. Just remember, you don’t have to wait for Valentine’s Day to kick things up a notch romantically. Show your partner (or yourself) some love and improve your physical and mental health in the process.