5 Ways Sex Helps Your Mental Health

5 Ways Sex Helps Your Mental Health
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Regardless of gender, sexuality, or relationship status, safe sex with enthusiastic consent is good for the mind, body, and soul. Sexual health is part of our physical and emotional wellbeing. One of the great things about sex is that there are so many ways to engage in it - solo, partnered, in a group, with orgasms, without orgasms, through reading, through watching ethical porn ... and more. Even with just five ways, you’ll quickly notice that sex does a LOT of cool stuff. It can’t cure all your ailments (though it may seem like it), but having a pleasurable, positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships is a great place to start. 

If sex causes you pain or it’s just not your thing, don’t worry - there are many different ways to improve your mental health. 

It Can Promote Better Sleep

Did you know that the wonderful feeling of release that comes with orgasm also triggers a chain reaction of hormones that can help you sleep better? The combination of oxytocin and prolactin, along with a decrease in cortisol, can have a powerful sleep-facilitating effect that can leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated the next morning. Quality sleep is essential for your mental health, so the next time you dread the nocturnal hours, grab a partner or vibrator (or both!) and get ready for an awesome night’s rest. 

It Can Make You Physically Healthier

Mental and physical health are intrinsically connected. Plus, it’s difficult to focus on your mental health if your physical health isn’t in check. Sex provides a crazy amount of physical benefits. It has been shown to reduce migraines, improve chronic pain*, lower blood pressure, relieve menstrual cramps, and reduce the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer…there’s more, but you get the gist. As with many things, consistency is key. Engaging in sexual activity often is the best way to reap these benefits. 

*If you are struggling with pain during intercourse, sex may not be the way to ease your discomfort. Please consult your OBGYN or a pelvic floor specialist before engaging in further sexual activity. 

It Will Melt Your Stress Away

Ah, stress. It’s a normal part of life, and sometimes even good (you read that right, sometimes good - but that’s another article for another time)! Too much stress is never good though. To rid your body of stress, you must complete the “stress response cycle”. There are a lot of ways to do this, and sexual activity is one of them! Remember how the decrease in cortisol levels after an orgasm can help you sleep? That also helps with stress. Don't feel like having sex when you're stressed? No problem. Arousal alone can bring those stress levels down. Put on a hot kissing scene or read your favorite smutty book and let your stress melt away. 

It Fosters Empowerment

If you have ever struggled with self-esteem or lacked confidence in your own identity, sex can be a great avenue for exploring these areas. Partnered sex can be intimidating if you’re lacking confidence, so masturbation is a great place to start! Discovering what turns you on by spending dedicated time with yourself can be empowering. Cut to the next scene when you’re getting frisky with your partner(s), and you feel way more confident in telling them what you like! Confidence is contagious, so your partner(s) are more likely to feel empowered as well when you speak up for yourself. 

It Helps When You’re Feeling Anxious or Down

As Elle Woods once said, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands.”  Just replace “exercise” with “sex” and the message is still the same (although, sex can end up being exercise, too!). Orgasms are responsible for releasing even more feel-good hormones: dopamine, oxytocin, and of course, endorphins. These hormones are designed to make you feel relaxed and in a good mood*. Feeling aroused releases those hormones as well, so there is no pressure to have an orgasm if you struggle with them.

*Even though sex can improve your mood when you’re feeling a little down, it’s less likely to help if you’re consistently struggling with depression. Talking to a mental health professional can help. 

It Keeps Your Brain Sharp

As if you don’t have enough reasons yet, sex can improve and maintain cognitive abilities such as memory function. A 2016 study found that people over 55 who were regularly engaging in sexual activity had significantly better memory function than those who were not. Science said it first, you’re never too old to be having sex! 

Is something holding you back from enjoying a healthy approach to sex? I specialize in working with people who are exploring issues related to sexuality, identity, nontraditional relationships, trauma, and life transitions. You can request an appointment with me at Lifeologie Counseling Oak Cliff or learn more here about all of Lifeologie’s therapists who specialize in identity and sexuality. 

References

Lastella, M., O'Mullan, C., Paterson, J. L., & Reynolds, A. C. (2019). Sex and Sleep: Perceptions of Sex as a Sleep Promoting Behavior in the General Adult Population. Frontiers in Public Health, 7, 33. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00033

Nagoski, E., & Nagoski, A. (2019). Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. First edition. New York, Ballantine Books.

Hamilton, L. D., Rellini, A. H., & Meston, C. M. (2008). Cortisol, sexual arousal, and affect in response to sexual stimuli. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5(9), 2111–2118. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00922.x

Brown, A. M. (2019). Pleasure Activism. AK Press

Wright, H., & Jenks, R. A. (2016). Sex on the Brain! Associations Between Sexual Activity and Cognitive Function in Older Age. Age and Ageing, 45(2), 313–317. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afv197

About Lifeologie

Lifeologie Counseling was founded in 2000 with one goal in mind — to bring a fresh, innovative approach to the everyday problems of life. Creative solutions to stuck problems®. With our unique multi-specialty, collaborative approach, Lifeologie Counseling helps individuals and families heal their wounds and break out of old, unhealthy patterns.