Sex is an integral part of your relationship, helping bring you and your partner closer together. But not only is sex enjoyable, it actually has a number of other benefits for your physical and mental health as well.
When you’re comfortable with your partner, you’re more likely to have good sex that satisfies both parties, leading to more orgasms — which has additional health advantages in itself.
So, what is good sex?
Truthfully, there is no one-size-fits-all description of “good sex” because it can change from person to person. However, there are some common themes that frequently appear when people discuss what good sex means to them. Generally speaking, good sex incorporates the needs and desires of both partners. If you’re having good sex, you will likely feel comfortable expressing yourself in bed and be open-minded to exploring new parts of your sexuality with your partner.
Sex On The Brain
Have you ever wondered what’s going on in your brain during sex? As you get intimate, your brain releases a number of hormones and chemicals that have different benefits for your body. From stress reduction to pain relief to bonding with your partner, these chemicals influence how you feel before, during, and after sex.
The Love Drugs
Oxytocin, often called the love drug, is released while you’re having sex and when you orgasm. It’s also associated with positive sentiments like trust and empathy. Researchers found that couples who recently became romantically involved had higher levels of oxytocin than people who weren’t part of a pair.
Dopamine and serotonin are also released during sex, peaking around the point of orgasm. Dopamine is a hormone that’s related to pleasure, while serotonin helps regulate your mood.
Endorphins, which help your body alleviate pain and bring about positive feelings, are another type of chemical that your brain produces during intercourse. They’re often considered a natural opioid due to the feelings of euphoria and pain relief that they cause.
Benefits Of Good Sex
Not only does satisfying sex feel good for you and your partner, but it also offers a number of physical and mental health perks. Notably, having sex is a great way to stay active, relieve stress, boost your sense of wellbeing, and more. In fact, in one study, people who were having sex periodically rated their overall health better than the participants who weren’t having sex.
Five of the key benefits associated with good sex are:
- It supports heart health. When you’re sexually aroused, your heart rate increases, as it would with physical exercise. Getting your blood pumping is good for your cardiovascular health, which helps keep you in good shape overall. You can incorporate sex as a way to stay fit, but you should also engage in other aerobic exercises as well.
- It can improve your sleep. If you have a tough time sleeping, you might find that sex before bed helps you get a better night’s rest. When you orgasm, your brain releases several chemicals that are associated with sleep, including prolactin, oxytocin and vasopressin.
- It reduces stress levels. Research shows that being intimate with your partner can decrease stress and help with anxiety — even from just touching and cuddling with them. When you trust your partner, you’re better able to open up, relax, and enjoy stress-reducing sex.
- It alleviates pain. Having an orgasm can be an organic form of pain relief. While you’re engaging in intimate contact with your partner, your brain releases endorphins, which act as a natural painkiller.
- It boosts your immune system. Finally, studies have shown that people who have sex on a regular basis are less likely to get sick than others. It’s a natural immune system boost that can benefit your body in the future.
From mental health to physical health, the benefits of good sex are wide-ranging. Outside of these advantages, sex is also a great way to bond with your partner and increase the closeness between the both of you.
