Sex - A Healthy Habit

You’ve embraced healthy eating, avoiding sugary beverages, exercising, not smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight but there’s one more to add to that list – sex.  Yes, sex! This is your new healthy habit to embrace with open arms as sexual perks are plentiful – it makes us feel good, it’s fun and it can strengthen the bonds of a loving relationship with your partner. 

But what you may not realize is all the health fringe benefits sex providesby engaging in the most intimate and natural form of human passion.  When sex is a regular activity in your life, you become a healthier person.  All the physical touching, hugging, and endorphins being released bring health benefits to all of us. 

Here is how sex can make you a healthier person:

·         Lowered stress levels

The act of sex releases the hormones of endorphins and oxytocin (feel-good hormones) that activate pleasure centers in the brain.  This is why you feel more intimate and ultimately relaxed after a romp in bed.  Feelings of anxiety and depression may not completely go away but at least you do feel better and have an improved perspective on life.

·         You’ll sleep like a baby

There’s a reason why men (and even women) tend to roll over and immediately go to sleep after lovemaking.  During intercourse the production of oxytocin increases while cortisol levels - which induce stress - decrease.  After orgasm is achieved, these hormonal changes puts you into a relaxed state making it easier for you to fall asleep and also leads to the deeper REM sleep we all need for waking up feeling rested.

·         Less sickness of colds and flu

Having sex at least once a week helps increase higher levels of Immunoglobulin A (IgA).  IgA is an antibody playing a critical role in healthy immune functioning.  When IgA levels are raised our body is better able to fight off colds and flu by giving the immune system an extra boost.

·         Keeps you fit

Sex is really an exercise and one of the best workouts around.  Depending on how vigorous and energetic your sexual activity becomes, your body will burn somewhere between 85 to 250 calories.  Areas of the body that particularly get a workout are the back, butt, and thighs.  However the arms, legs, and abs can also be sculpted by creative sexual positions.

·         You’ll look 10 years younger

Frequent sex may actually have the ability to turn back the clock on how young you look.  The Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland  did a study many years ago on guessing people’s ages.  The findings revealed participants who had sex on average 4 times a week, looked 7 to 12 years younger than their present age.  It appears that having more sex releases the hormones of estrogen and testosterone giving you a youthful glow along with keeping the body looking younger.

·         Reduces aches and pains

Feeling a little achy? Have a headache?  Go have sex.  This is the prescription suggested  possibly helping some people experiencing pain in a study conducted at the Headache Clinic at Southern Illinois University.  Reaching orgasm releases hormones that may help ease away annoying aches and pains such as migraines. 

·         Better bladder control for women

At some point in their life, about 30% of all women will be affected by urinary incontinence.  To avoid this situation, keeping the pelvic floor muscles strong is a must.  And what better and more fun way is there than to have regular sex.  Sex is a workout for the pelvic floor muscles.  Climaxing causes contractions a woman feels strengthening the muscles in the pelvic floor. 

·         Prostate cancer risk drops for men

Men who ejaculate at least 21 times a month are less likely to develop prostate cancer according to a 2016 follow-up study published in European Urology.   This study provided the strongest evidence to date on the beneficial role ejaculation has on preventing prostate cancer. 

·         Lightens monthly periods and cramps

Many women may not relish the idea of sex during her time of the month but it may actually reduce cramps, end the period faster and decrease the risk of endometriosis. 

·         Increases sex drive

Yes, having more sex increases frequency of sex.  What a better libido antidote is there than that! When a couple frequently engages in lovemaking, it helps boost vaginal lubrication, blood flow to the vagina, and elasticity of the tissues making sex a more pleasurable experience while lifting libido. 

·         Lowers blood pressure

Having a hard time controlling your blood pressure?  Begin having more sex.  Many studies       have shown a link between sexual intercourse and a lowered systolic blood pressure.  When   more sex is combined with eating a healthy diet, exercise and stress reduction, it’s a win-win as a healthy lifestyle behavior.

·         Brain booster

Sex makes you feel good from the top of your head to the tips of your toes.  That means your brain is included as an active sex life can make it process things better.  Both animal and human studies have found sex to switch the brain into more of an analytical mode of thinking and processing along with enhancing areas involved in memory.

·         Strengthens intimacy and relationships

There’s a reason why a hormone called oxytocin is nicknamed “the love hormone.”  Having sex resulting in an orgasm releases oxytocin creating feelings of love and trust towards your partner.  And to get those results doesn’t have to always culminate with intercourse.  Just snuggling up to one another cuddling and kissing raises oxytocin levels inspiring those warm, cozy feeling for each other.