Nothing can describe the exhilarating feeling of getting intimate with your partner. But beyond the pleasure associated with intimacy, did you know sex has more physical, psychological, and social benefits? Research has long shown that sexual frequency improves your general well-being and strengthens the bond between partners.
In fact, once you start engaging in sexual activities more often, you will notice many positive changes in and around you. From better physical fitness to reduced stress and stronger emotional connections, you have every reason to have sex more frequently.
Here is why you should prioritize sex in the New Year – and start reaping the benefits asap.
The Physical Benefits of Sex
There are many physical benefits of having lots of great sex! They include:
Improves Physical Fitness
Engaging in regular sex is an effective and fun way to improve your overall fitness. According to the American Heart Association, 30 minutes of sex is equivalent to taking a walk or climbing two flights of stairs. It has also been proven to tighten the abdominal and pelvic muscles, and in women, it can improve bladder control.
Other physical advantages of sex include helping you burn calories and getting your waistline in shape. So, if you find going to the gym a mundane activity, having frequent sex can be an equally effective way to keep in shape.
Improved Immune Function
Numerous studies have shown that regular sex stimulates the brain to release the immune-boosting antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA), protecting your body from common illnesses like cold and flu. This means by having sex twice a week, for example, you will have more of these antibodies to keep you safe from illnesses.
It’s also worth noting that the same studies have shown that people who have sex twice a week have higher IgA than those who have it three or more times, indicating that too much candy can end up being unhealthy.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Having frequent sex has a lot of benefits for your cardiovascular system. Essentially, it is linked with lower systolic pressure, meaning it lowers blood pressure to safeguard you from heart disease and stroke. Moreover, it causes the blood vessels to dilate, increasing the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the rest of the body while maintaining blood pressure at the proper levels.
Sex also plays a big part in regulating most of the hormones produced in the body, including testosterone and estrogen, which tend to impact the heart one way or another.
Lowers Pain Levels
During sex, the body releases a healthy dose of oxytocin. Otherwise known as the love hormone, oxytocin has been proven to reduce sensitivity to pain. Moreover, the endorphins released during orgasm, coupled with increased blood flow to the genital area, also play a role in relieving pain. In other words, sex can help you deal with migraine and back pain.
According to experts, pain is caused by blood flowing to one particular area, so sex works by taking the pressure to that area and redirecting the flow to your genitals. So, instead of complaining of a headache when your partner asks for sex, have more of it, and you will end up feeling better.
Strengthens Your Relationship
Sex is not only about physical intimacy; it goes a long way in strengthening the emotional bond between you and your partner. In other words, sex offers sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction is achieved in the process. Indeed, if things are going well in the bedroom, you can expect to see progress even in other areas of your lives.
Makes You Look Younger
Forget artificial ways of looking young; sex is the ultimate solution to looking younger than you actually are. Studies show that men and women who have sex an average of four times a week tend to look ten years younger than their peers who don’t. This is attributed to the release of hormones, particularly growth hormones, which affect human growth and development.
Promotes Longevity
More sex can help you live longer…seriously! When you have an orgasm, your body releases a hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone, which improves immunity, repairs body tissues, and keeps your skin looking good. This keeps you healthy and fit, which is a requisite for living a long life. So for sure, it won’t hurt to have more sex and add a few more years to your lifespan.
The Psychological Benefits of Sex
There are numerous advantages to making love frequently. Here are some benefits you stand to enjoy:
Bonding
During sex, the brain releases different chemicals, including endorphins, which help lower the risk of depression and feelings of irritability. In addition, the second hormone, oxytocin (the hug drug), is released during sexual activities like nipple stimulation and usually fosters a sense of calm and contentment.
Stress Relief
A lack of frequent sex has been linked to higher levels of stress. Conversely, regular sex is an effective stress management technique since it reduces stress response hormones (cortisol and adrenaline). This means that having more sex can keep stress at bay, ensuring you are happy and in a good mood at all times.
Better Self-Image
People who have more sex tend to be confident and usually have a more positive perception of themselves. Essentially, sex can help boost your self-esteem and reduce feelings of insecurity, allowing you to feel more at peace with yourself. Having self-confidence can also help to improve your relationships with others.
Improved Sleep Quality
Sex works to improve sleep by triggering the release of the hormone prolactin, which makes you sleep better. You will notice that you are more relaxed after making love, thus falling asleep faster. You will also feel peaceful during your sleep and healthier the following morning.
Feelings of Happiness
People who have sex frequently are ever in high spirits, another justification for having more sex next year. One study conducted in China revealed that couples who have more consensual and quality sex are happier than their counterparts who make love less frequently.
Reduces the Risk of Depression
Engaging in regular sex triggers the brain to release the feel-good chemicals, increasing the level of happy hormones. These hormones trigger the release of serotonin, a key antidepressant chemical in the body. When this chemical is released, it makes you less susceptible to depression and anxiety.
Summary
Indeed, having sex regularly, even once a week, offers numerous benefits both to you and your partner, and it can go a long way in strengthening your bond.
So make 2022 the year you have more sex!
Comments are closed