Sex really can be good for you!
Sex really can be good for you
Published: 25/01/2011 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Life
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Why does one enjoy having sex? Of course, because it is pleasurable. But there are more good reasons. Believe it or not, sex can provide many health benefits, both physically and psychologically. Sex is not just for fun any more.
The health benefits of sex extend well beyond the bedroom. Sex can be good for you in ways you may never have imagined. The following are some reasons why sex and sexual activity may help you live a longer, happier life.
PAIN RELIEF
One of the health benefits of sex is its ability to act as a pain reliever. When you engage in sexual activity, a specific hormone called oxytocin is secreted and endorphins are released. These chemicals act as a pain reliever that can ease pain - everything from headaches and cramps to overall body aches.
REDUCE STRESS, SLEEP WELL
After an orgasm, an intense wave of calm and relaxation overcomes us and it's a time when people can truly liberate themselves and let go. A survey revealed that people who have more sex reported that they felt more at ease, happier and learned how to handle stress better. Many reported they sleep much better during the night and feel alive and refreshed throughout the day and can even handle day-to-day stress much more efficiently. Another study reported that those who had intercourse had better responses to stress than those who engaged in other sexual behaviours, or abstained.
BETTER PERFORMANCE
When we get aroused, our blood starts to pump at a quicker rate and, thus, blood flow in our body increases. This means that the fresh supply of blood, pumping through your body, provides the organs with a healthy dose of oxygen and gets rid of the body's waste products. So you will get a cleansed system, resulting in better overall performance.
BODY MAINTENANCE
Everyone wants to make sure they have a nice body when being naked in front of another person. That's why sex will increase your awareness of your body image and help to keep you fit and stay in shape. In addition, sexual activity can burn off some calories as well, approximately 150 kilocalories every half hour or even higher for more rigorous sex.
IMMUNITY BOOST
Every time you reach orgasm, the hormone called DHEA increases in response to sexual excitement and ejaculation. This wonderful hormone can boost your immune system, repair tissue, improve cognition, keep skin healthy, and even work as an anti-depressant.
Having sex once or twice a week has been linked with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA), which can protect you from getting colds and other infections.
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Sex is also good for your heart. It can lower your blood pressure. Moreover, researchers found that having sex twice or more a week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by half for men, compared with those who had sex less than once a month. Another piece of good news is that frequency of sex was not associated with stroke - as many may worry about. Bangkok Post : Sex really can be good for you
