Sex and sexual frequency is an integral part of one’s life. It provides connection and intimacy with your partner, even with yourself.
Aside from reproduction, having sex has many surprising benefits, especially to your psychological well-being. In fact, studies have shown that sex is beneficial to your health, as it activates neurotransmitters that activate the brain and other parts of the body.
Intimacy with your partner
The most common type of sex is intercourse with a partner. It is one of the integral aspects of a relationship. But, sometimes, it’s inevitable that you and your partner might be busy with work or school that you don’t have enough time for sex. Feeling disconnected from your sex partner can lead to many issues, especially regarding mental health.
Lack of sex can lead to resentment over your partner, uneagerness to make love, and gradually growing apart from each other until you no longer have sex with your partner at all.
Further, sex in a monogamous relationship heightens the level of emotional connection and commitment with the other person. Sex as a love expression increases the likelihood of couples staying together and decreases the possibility of separation or divorce.
Being intimate physically will allow you to connect with your partner emotionally and on a much deeper level. Those with regular sex are most likely to have a healthier relationship than those who don’t. The latter may feel estranged or distant from each other.
Eases stress
Some might think that stress is a small thing. However, stress can lead to many other psychological problems in the long run. It can cause many health problems, both physically and mentally. These include headaches, muscle tension, sleeping difficulties, and disruption of the immune system.
A study reveals that being emotionally and physically close with your partner can lower levels of stress. Sex can trigger dopamine, the pleasure hormone called endorphin, which is the hormone that deals with pain and stress, and oxytocin, the love or cuddle hormone. The body then releases prolactin after an orgasm, which leads the person to be drowsy and relaxed.
If you do not have a partner, you can always do it by yourself. Masturbation is proved to lower stress levels and help you relax. You can also perform mutual masturbation with your partner to let that person know what you want. Using a toy might elevate your experience with masturbation. Do your research and visit a sex shop to see what suits your preference.
Boosts self-esteem
Evidence shows that lack of sex breeds depression and low self-worth, especially among women. Sometimes, having low to no sexual activity can feel socially stigmatizing. Thus, engaging in sexual activities can relieve someone from strong social pressure and improve their self-esteem.
People tend to feel insecure when they don’t feel like they are heard, seen, or desired by other people. This makes sense because when you have sex with your partner, you feel secured and wanted. Doing so will reaffirm your sense of desirability, which in turn increases your self-esteem and sense of self-worth.
If you do not have a partner, doing it yourself can also boost your self-esteem. Masturbating is a form of self-love and spending quality time on your own. As you’re learning what pleasures you, your self-confidence will gradually become higher.
Improves sleep
The quality of sleep a person gets is also integral in determining the mental health of a person. If a person does not get enough sleep, then they can be easily irritated, and the relationships around them are affected. Sleep deprivation hurts one’s mood and emotions. Better sleep means a longer lifespan, a good immune system, feeling more well-rested, and having more energy.
As mentioned, oxytocin is released once a person reaches an orgasm. Another hormone released is prolactin, which helps relax the body and allows you to fall asleep easily. A study shows that sexual intercourse has helped insomniacs get better sleep, making it a possible alternative to strategies to combat insomnia.
Can make you look and feel younger
Society places a huge emphasis on beauty and looking young. Many people spend a huge amount of money to look and feel young through chemicals and cosmetic procedures. What people fail to know is that lovemaking is also one way to keep us youthful.
What gives?
A British study found that having regular sex can make a person look five to ten years younger than they actually are. Sex releases a human growth hormone that makes the skin appear smoother and more elastic. It also triggers the release of estrogen, which improves hair and skin quality.
Looking younger has a great impact on mental health. It increases happiness, enthusiasm, and confidence. Looking young also equates to feeling young, which then improves your mental health. Hence, having frequent sex not only puts the body in feel-good pleasure but also has a positive impact on your overall well-being.
Makes you smarter
Engaging in sexual activities changes your brain chemistry, making you smarter, and increasing your cognitive capacity. Sexual activities that lead to climax can also activate every part of the body. Reaching a climax allows blood to carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain cells. In contrast, playing memory games can engage only a small part of the brain region.
A study found that remembering past sexual encounters can enhance analytical thinking. Further, a study found that sex frequency can positively affect the recall of words by women. Another study found that sexually-active rodents have more neurons in the brain region that store memories than the virgin ones. When sexual activities were stopped, brainpower improvements were also lost.
Takeaway
Sex is an important part of a person’s well-being. It is not only for reproduction but also for pleasure and other mental health benefits. It plays a significant part in bonding, intimacy, improving self-esteem, and feeling good about yourself. However, if sex is not your cup of tea, you can always engage in other activities to be better mentally. Sex is only one of the ways you can improve your life.
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