Sex can benefit your mental health
Publicado: 2022-12-13 15:00:37
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Great sex can be gloriously uplifting, whether it's a connection in the heat of the moment or a session with a long-term partner who knows every inch of your body. It can be much more than just physical pleasure, though. Sex can also benefit your mental and emotional health, as well as your general well-being.
Sex can boost your self-confidence
If you've ever felt like you're in the "Feeling Myself" music video alongside Nicki Minaj and Queen B after some really good sex, it's because it can boost your self-confidence. It takes a level of confidence to jump into the sheets, but sex and masturbation have the potential to return the favor and more.
Masturbation, also known as solo sex, offers many of the same benefits as partner sex. In addition, it has some unique perks, including:
⦁ greater self-esteem or self-appreciation
⦁ a deeper understanding of the body
⦁ greater possibility of orgasm
⦁ more overall sexual satisfaction
Learning to orgasm on your own can make it easier to do it with a partner, because you can communicate what feels good: fast, slow, the amount of pressure. Knowing what you like and where you like it can build trust. So consider self-exploration a worthwhile investment. One that can become a daily pleasure you crave.
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Sex releases feel-good hormones
Sex changes your mood more times than you can count. Amidst a dreamy space steeped in pleasure, mundane problems often seem far, far away. Turns out there's a chemical explanation for this.
We are programmed to feel good before, during and after sex. Touching, kissing and other sexual interactions cause the peripheral nervous system to signal the brain to release endorphins, making us feel good. Sex also triggers a surge of the neurotransmitter dopamine, another mood-enhancing hormone. Sex is one of the most powerful dopamine-releasing activities, alongside other delights like eating something delicious, learning something new, and listening to music.
Sex can reduce stress and anxiety
Cortisol and adrenaline, two key players behind anxiety, are reduced during and after sex. Together, these chemical fluctuations can be an antidote to stress. It's basically endorphin heaven, boosting your mood and decreasing pain sensitivity.
It also explains why things that usually hurt – like biting, choking, or hitting – can be very hot during sex. Pleasure and pain actually activate the same parts of the brain. Endorphins are the brain's natural pain reliever, not only can they provide an overall feeling of happiness, they can also ease pain in the same way an opioid does.
Furthermore, concepts like escapism and dominance are conceptually sexy to many. The power game can be a great stimulus. Whether you wear handcuffs or ropes or prefer a good old-fashioned neck bite, the intimacy of experiencing even the slightest pain with a sexual partner can take you to new levels of pleasure.
Sex can help you sleep better
The cocktail of hormones released when having sex can send you to sleep (with a smile, no less). And it's worth it, post-orgasm sleep is harder than the melatonin-induced nap. Science seems to agree. According to 2016 research from the University of Ottawa, having sex before bed can initiate and maintain a good night's sleep.
Researchers have found that having sex before bed can immediately reduce stress, thanks to the release of oxytocin and a reduction in cortisol. This adorable combination not only helps you fall asleep faster than usual, it also keeps you in dreamland longer, reducing the chance of waking up during the night. As one of humanity's strongest pillars, sleep can make or break your mental health.
Lack of quality sleep is closely linked to depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that participants who slept an average of 6 hours or less per night had 2 .5 times more likely to have frequent mental distress. Our emotional well-being plummets when we are sleep deprived because the amygdala (the part of the brain that controls fear) becomes more prone to overreacting.
Sex is a light exercise that benefits your brain
You've probably heard this several times, but it bears repeating: it's amazing how exercise can improve your mental health. The benefits are many: exercise can help reduce anxiety, depression, and bad moods; raise your self-esteem; boost your cognitive function and much more.
Sex is not CrossFit, but it still burns some calories and raises your heart rate. A 2013 study found that sex can, on average, burn about 3.6 calories per minute. Consider this the cherry on top of an already wonderful activity.
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Sex can provide a sense of connection
Sex that feels wonderfully safe can be a powerhouse of human connection. After sex, oxytocin is released, this hormone that deeply relaxes us and can promote a feeling of trust between partners. This plays a role in the development of relationships and can give us a very euphoric feeling.
Aptly dubbed the love hormone, oxytocin can have a positive impact on your interpersonal connections, according to a review of research. Attraction, love, affection – these emotions are driven by the physiological effects of oxytocin.
Of course, this can also mean getting hit with feelings after a long friendship with benefits situation, a common experience many of us have had. Even jumping into bed with a complete stranger, your subconscious can start to feel confident before your internal monologue does.
