Mental Health

The Emotional, Physical Benefits of Having Sex More Often

By Dynne C. | Update Date: Dec 11, 2023 03:40 AM EST

Regular sex not only benefits individuals but also supports healthy relationships by fostering bonding and emotional intimacy between partners. Beyond personal satisfaction, its impacts span psychological and physical aspects of a person's well-being.

Sexual intimacy is a form of affection -- a way to express how much a person loves their partner. In essence, the benefits of regular sex extend far beyond the immediate pleasure, encompassing an array of psychological and physical advantages, enriching both individual lives and relationships.

Psychological benefits

Sexual intimacy contributes significantly to emotional well-being. It enhances self-esteem, promotes happiness, and fosters a deep sense of bonding by releasing hormones like oxytocin and endorphins. Additionally, it serves as an effective stress-relief mechanism and improves sleep quality. In a study from 2015, researchers found that an increase in consensual and high-quality sexual activity corresponds to an increase in happiness.

Physical benefits

Apart from the emotional advantages, sex yields numerous physical benefits. It functions as a form of exercise, enhancing physical fitness by toning muscles, especially in the abdomen and pelvis. It also aids brain function, boosts immune responses, reduces pain levels, aids in weight loss, and positively affects cardiac health by lowering blood pressure.

But beyond being intimate, it is also proven to correlate with better cognitive function and immune system responses. In another study, researchers found that sexual activity aids in weight loss because of the increase in energy used. It also reduces pain and positively influences cardiac health by reducing blood pressure and improving blood vessel dilation. 

It is also associated with other health benefits like improved libido, vaginal health and lighter menstrual periods. It even contributes to a better sense of smell, dental health, digestion and skin health through hormone releases.

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