4 Surprising Mental Health Benefits of Sex
Whether we experience it with a partner, several partners or just ourselves, sex is a meaningful and pleasurable part of our lives that most of us probably can’t go without. Aside from the sake of reproduction, it’s safe to assume that sex has to be an integral and highly desirable part of our lives for a reason.
It evidently feels good and you probably have an idea of some of the physical benefits it provides. This includes lowering your blood pressure, burning calories, strengthening muscles, and reducing the risk of heart disease. However, did you know that there are also a number of mental health benefits to sex?
It Increases Your Cognitive Capacity
Sexual intercourse changes your brain chemistry in a variety of ways, including your cognitive abilities. Evidence suggests that even thinking about sex stimulates your analytical thinking skills. Furthermore, studies on sexually active rodents found that their hippocampus experienced an increase in neurons.
In other words, being sexually active may be helpful in improving your memory. Research done on sexually active women found that there’s a positive association between sex and the ability to recall words. Finally, sexual climaxes activate every part of your brain, increasing blood flow and carrying a surge of oxygen and nutrients to your brain cells.
Natural Anti-Ageing Solution
We as humans collectively spend billions of dollars per year trying to look younger. Studies done on the correlation between sex and aging found that being sexually active can make both men and women look up to seven years younger. When we look young, we feel good. This then has a domino effect on our confidence and overall happiness.
Much of this is likely owed to the physical exercise done during sex. In an average sex session, women are said to burn around 70 calories, while males burn an average of 100 calories. We know that there are countless benefits to exercise, such as improving your mood, energy levels, and reducing stress. Luckily for us, sex helps us reap these benefits.
Stress Reduction
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what is causing a person to stress, as it varies significantly. However, we know that stress has a number of adverse effects on our mental health. Being close to your partner naturally reduces stress levels and physical intimacy further enhances the effect by releasing dopamine and endorphins – our natural stress fighters.
Furthermore, orgasms release prolactin. This is a hormone that leads to a mild feeling of euphoria and relaxation. It can also help us sleep better, which further reduces stress in the long run. A study done on rodents found that having sexual intercourse every night for a week led to a decrease in anxiety and lower blood pressure.
Self-Esteem Boost
Evidence suggests that a lack of sex can increase feelings of low self-esteem and even depression. Not having a sex life can be socially stigmatizing due to the way modern society perceives sex. Sex is one of our fundamental psychological needs and at the end of the day, needs to be fulfilled.
If you’re going through a time where you don’t have a sexual partner around, masturbation still provides many of the above-mentioned benefits. Fortunately, there are some interesting women’s sex toy options out there for you to try out. This store is both affordable and offers a wide variety of toys for every type of person. It might be just what you need.
Conclusion
It’s evident that sex is not only highly beneficial to our lives but also necessary for our mental wellbeing. No matter what, be sure to maintain a sense of responsibility in your sex life and always protect yourself when you meet new sexual partners.
