Sex or No Sex?
Sex or no sex? That is the question...
That is the question, is it not?
A healthy lifestyle is not all about workouts, no desserts, green smoothies, and no fa(s)t food; all things that are not appealing to some (or most) of you. A healthy lifestyle also includes safe-sex practices. Good sex means exercise, and a boost for your physical and mental health. According to some sex therapists, most of the benefits relate to achieving orgasm.
So, why should you have sex?
For the Brain
- Gives warm feelings
Sex is one way to increase your dopamine level and also up your levels of the love hormone oxytocin. However, it goes further than that. Studies have found that regular sex can do way more than make you feel warm and fuzzy for a while. - Reduces depression and stress
There are studies that show that contact with semen during sex can act as an antidepressant for women. But both men and women benefit: Having sex is linked to better stress response and lower blood pressure. - Gives the brain a boost
Being sexually active can increase some neurons in your brain, especially in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that stores memories. Also you might experience an improvement in analytical thinking and find yourselves in a better mood.
For the Body
- Improves immune system
People who have sex frequently (one or two times a week) have significantly higher levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA). This immunoglobulin is the first line of defense your body has to fight off infections. Interestingly enough, the IgA levels were highest in couples who consistently had sex a few times a week, yet lower in people who had no sex or too much sex. - Good for the heart
A study found that people who make love at least twice a week were 45% less likely to develop heart disease than those who only had sex once a month or less. The reason: Your heart benefits from the exercise and the increased levels of estrogen and testosterone. - Nighty night
Having sex lowers blood pressure and makes you sleep better because of the release of the hormone oxytocin. - Burns calories
Sex helps to burn calories, strengthen muscles, helps maintain flexibility and balance. Facts: An hour of sex can burn more than 144 calories. For instance: Yoga burns 114 calories per half-hour, dancing counts for 129 calories per half-hour and walking will burn 153 calories per half-hour. - Makes you look younger
A Scottish study showed that couples who had intercourse three or more times a week looked some 10 years younger than their actual age. This is because of the release of the hormone estrogen that improves hair and skin quality. - Relieves pain
Getting frisky releases oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins, and phenyl ethylamine. These hormones generate feelings of euphoria and pleasure. Bad back? Sore muscle? Headache? Menstrual cramps? Gone! Or at least you feel less pain. - Lowers the risk of prostate cancer
Research has shown that there is a lower risk of prostate cancer with men who ejaculate at least 21 times a month. This is especially the case for middle-aged or older (50+) men. - Improves bladder control
Having intercourse helps to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles because of the contractions during an orgasm. For women this can help to improve their bladder control and avoid incontinence. - Regulates your period
Once or twice a week of getting frisky between the sheets makes it less likely that Aunt Flow will show up unexpected. Besides that, a study shows that women experienced smaller changes of levels of the hormone that controls the menstrual cycle. - Improves dental health
Semen seems to improve dental health because of the presence of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc. All of those are ingredients in most common tooth rinses.
Why Not To Have Sex with Others
- People who have a body image problem and lack self-esteem will maybe do better when leaving others out and loving themselves. Doing it yourself will probably improve your masturbating skills, as well.
- Avoiding close contact will keep away infections of all kinds.
- Best of all: You will appreciate it more when you do have sex with someone else again!