Sex is about more than just feeling good. And sex isn’t defined as just traditional intercourse. Masturbation, foreplay, and other sexual activities can all benefit your body and health in a variety of ways. In fact, sex can benefit you physically, emotionally and mentally. Curious to learn more? Read on for 9 ways that a healthy sex life leads to a healthy life overall.
1. Burn Calories
It seems too good to be true, but having sex can actually burn calories. Cardiovascular exercise has never been so fun! The amount of calories you burn is obviously dependent on the duration of your sexual session and the amount of effort you put forth. Like any good workout, the more you work and sweat, the more calories you burn. On average, women burn approximately 70 calories for every 30 minute sex session, whereas men can burn over 100. If you’re a health conscious person looking to lose weight, sex might just replace that run on the treadmill.
2. Strengthen Muscles
No, we aren’t just talking about kegel muscles. Sex can help strengthen your abdominals, arms, and legs depending on the position you choose. When women get on top of their partner during sex, they use their arms and legs simultaneously. Certain sexual positions are even said to help improve flexibility. But when it comes to sex, kegel muscles are important. Having an orgasm (alone or with a partner) causes a woman’s kegel muscles to contract, strengthening them over time. Women should practice kegel exercises regularly. The kegel muscles are actually those of a woman’s pelvic floor. Each time they contract, they strengthen a little bit more. This leads to more intense orgasms and a “tighter” feel for your partner.
3. Promote a Healthy Heart
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It’s also known as a silent killer because symptoms often go unrecognized and undiagnosed. Promoting a healthy heart is important for preventing heart disease and sex is just one path on the road to heart health. During sex, or even masturbation, your heart rate becomes elevated. This gets blood flowing to your heart in a similar way to exercise. Not only does sex strengthen your heart, but it helps promote a healthy balance of testosterone and estrogen in men and women.
4. Increase Libido
Having more sex actually helps you put in the mood for sex. Studies show that the more is the sexual intercourse a person has, the higher their libido is. This is especially important in both men and women as they age and sometimes experience a drop in sex drive. Aside from the physical act of sex, there are other natural ways of kickstarting your libido. CBD and hemp oil are actually proven to help relax people and make them more uninhibited in the bedroom. Not to mention the countless other health benefits CBD offers. Find out more about it here. Natural aphrodisiacs include foods like oysters, dark chocolate, and scents like peppermint and cinnamon.
5. Combat Insomnia
Most adults have difficulty sleeping. Either they don’t get enough rest, have trouble falling asleep, or wake several times throughout the night. And most don’t realize that these are all classified as symptoms of insomnia. Orgams are extremely relaxing. They help your body enter a state of euphoria and satisfaction. Following sex, many people feel completely relaxed, both mind and body. This makes it easier to fall asleep and increases your chances of getting a quality night’s rest. So the next time your partner rolls over after sex and blissfully drifts off to sleep, don’t be mad at them. They’re just following their body’s natural cues for sleep.
6. Boost Your Immune System
Your immune system is your body’s control system for fighting off foreign disease and bacteria. It’s what keeps you healthy and living life to the fullest. A weak immune system leaves you susceptible to any number of illnesses. Exercise in general is said to promote a healthy, strong immune system. Since sex is a form of exercise, it too can help promote a healthy immune system which helps your body fight off unwanted disease and illness. Sex also reduces stress (more on that soon), which weakens your immune system and leaves you at risk for getting sick.
7. Reduce Stress
How could sex NOT reduce stress? It feels good and it helps relax you. But how? When you have an orgasm, your brain releases feel good chemicals known as endorphins (the same chemicals released during exercise). These hormones are responsible for boosting your mood and promoting feelings of happiness and positivity. Reduced stress is important for getting in the mood too. Stress is one of the leading causes of ED (erectile dysfunction) in men.
Unfortunately, this is a vicious cycle in most cases. When men are overly stressed, they have difficulty getting and keeping an erection. Their inability to perform causes additional stress, compromising their sex life. It’s important for men to relax and not put so much pressure on themselves in the bedroom. Once they reduce their stress, sex comes more naturally and could help to keep future stress away.
8. Boosted Confidence and Body Image
Sex and sexuality are directly connected to our bodies and body image. When you feel sexy or desirable, it’s an automatic confidence booster. The act of having sex makes you feel more attractive and comfortable in your own skin. What’s even better is that you don’t need a partner to enjoy an orgasm and become more intune with your body. Masturbation is the perfect way to connect with yourself and learn to love your body. It also helps you navigate your sexual desires, learning what you like and don’t like. You can then share these findings with your partner. This leads to the next point on the list.
9. Increased Intimacy
Intimacy is sexy and not always easy to achieve. But when you and your partner share a healthy, passionate sex life, intimacy naturally follows. A healthy sex life makes you feel more connected to your partner. It improves communication and makes you feel loved, valued, and appreciated. The more you communicate during the sex, the better your partner is able to satisfy you and meet your sexual and emotional needs. While it may be difficult for some people to open up and talk during sex, it can work wonders for your intimacy level and the intensity of your orgasm.
Sex is a healthy, natural, and normal part of life. While it’s necessary for procreation, a healthy sex life means much more than simply reproducing. Exploring your own sexuality alone will give both you and your partner insight into what you enjoy. Not to mention, the more you get to know your body, the better you are at detecting a problem if one arises. Sex keeps both your body and mind healthy. Don’t discount it as a meaningless act and instead consider it a great way to improve all aspects of your life.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
