The need for sex is inherent in us and is as vital as the need for food, water, or air. However, not everyone realizes the importance of sex for their physical and emotional health, often ignoring problems that arise in this area, which is unfortunate. A lack of sex can negatively impact the functioning of vital organs, overall well-being, and, consequently, overall quality of life. In this case, don’t delay visiting a sexologist, as a conversation with a specialist can likely lead to solutions to many of your problems.
On the other hand, having a regular sexual partner who can fully satisfy you has numerous health benefits. This primarily applies to the emotional sphere, of course. We’ve explored the psychological benefits of sex. Here are the most important ones:
IMPROVING MOOD
Sensual foreplay and subsequent sex with a loved one have the same effect as many antidepressants recommended by psychotherapists—that’s a fact. This is because during intercourse, and especially at the moment of orgasm, serotonin levels (the famous “happiness hormone”) increase significantly. As a result, emotional well-being improves, and apathy and irritability disappear. For this reason, many experts conclude that regular sex is the most effective treatment for depression and anxiety. It’s no coincidence that one of the key signs of depression is a decrease in libido or even a feeling of complete aversion to sex.
INCREASING AND MAINTAINING MOTIVATION
Researchers have long established that dopamine levels rise significantly during sex. However, it would be incorrect to claim that this hormone is solely responsible for feelings of pleasure. This hormone not only helps us form desires but also maintains our motivation to achieve goals. It is thanks to dopamine that a stable system of moral “reward” is formed in the human brain. Just anticipating a victory or simply a pleasant pastime already triggers positive emotions. Moreover, dopamine is largely responsible for the pleasant nostalgia we all sometimes experience when replaying past events in our minds. Thus, with the help of this hormone, one could say that a person develops a habit for certain pleasures; that is, certain events, people, smells, and foods will henceforth be associated with positive emotions.
MAINTAINING COGNITIVE ABILITIES
The same hormone dopamine, which is actively produced during sex, also influences memory processes, information consolidation in the brain, and the subsequent formation of associations. The brain’s ability to make quick decisions, maintain attention on one object, or switch from one to another directly depends on the level of dopamine in the blood. If a person lacks dopamine, the quality of thought processes is significantly impaired. Over time, a deficiency of this hormone in the blood can lead to such unpleasant consequences as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ADHD. Thus, sex is very beneficial for higher nervous system function because it maintains our ability to think and concentrate.
MAINTAINING MOTOR ACTIVITY
Speaking of dopamine, it’s worth noting that this hormone also helps maintain muscle tone and a high level of physical activity. Increased levels of this hormone in the blood make us feel more alert, more active, and able to endure longer periods of physical activity. Consequently, a lack of dopamine can lead to apathy, slowness of movement, general lethargy, and rapid fatigue. So, having sex is also important for feeling more energetic and maintaining an active lifestyle.
IMPROVEMENT OF CONDITION DURING MENOPAUSE
During sexual intercourse, women release large amounts of estrogen, a hormone that is crucial for maintaining physical attractiveness and, consequently, self-esteem. Estrogen prevents premature signs of aging, maintains skin elasticity, strengthens nails, preventing breakage, and makes hair stronger and thicker. A decrease in this hormone is observed during menopause and menopause, causing irritability, excessive tearfulness, and mood swings. Therefore, during these periods, it is especially important to take dietary supplements, undergo medical monitoring, and maintain a normal level of sexual activity.
ACCEPTANCE OF YOUR BODY
It’s been proven that regular sex can help a person overcome emotional inhibitions and become more open. Typically, the first sexual encounter causes stress, awkwardness, and embarrassment. However, over time, as people become more comfortable with each other, any shyness fades. Then, a man or woman stops worrying about how they look and whether their partner finds them sexually attractive. Sex plays a particularly important psychological role for people suffering from traumatic experiences, as well as complexes related to the presence of scars, disfigurements, and other physical features. Sexual intimacy helps people understand that a person can be desirable in any form and at any age.
NEUTRALIZATION OF MALE AGGRESSION
Testosterone is a male sex hormone primarily responsible for sperm production and muscle growth. It is produced in large quantities during sex. However, testosterone is also responsible for psychological well-being. During intercourse, blood levels of this hormone increase, which in turn improves emotional well-being. A lack of testosterone can lead to mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and even aggression. This fact further confirms that men also need not only an active sex life but also the emotional satisfaction it provides.
Reducing stress levels
Stressful work and prolonged, chronic stress can not only weaken the immune system but also negatively impact mental well-being. Sex has been proven to be the best remedy for debilitating tension. Intimacy with a loved one generally gives us a sense of peace and connection. Sexual intercourse, followed by orgasm, can help relieve pent-up irritability. Furthermore, delaying sex until evening can improve sleep quality: you’ll feel pleasantly tired, fall asleep faster, and sleep soundly.
Relief in PMS Symptoms
One of the most unpleasant aspects of the female body is PMS (premenstrual syndrome), accompanied by mood swings, a general deterioration in well-being, headaches, skin rashes, swelling, etc. It turns out that good sex can, if not completely eliminate, then at least alleviate the symptoms of this syndrome. This means that irritability, short temper, and emotional fluctuations will be less of a concern. Furthermore, sex can ultimately reduce the pain experienced during the first days of the menstrual cycle, which can also significantly improve mood.
Elimination of lonely people
Since humans are social creatures capable of complex neural activity, the functions of sex are not limited to procreation alone. When we have sex, we reach a new level of intimacy with our partner, giving them the right to invade our personal space. Caresses, hugs, kisses, intimacy, and subsequent orgasm—all of this, as noted earlier, gives us peace and even a sense of security. However, it’s important to understand that this is generally only possible with a long-term partner. Casual sexual encounters without any emotional underpinning can only exacerbate the feeling of alienation: a person will learn to separate their feelings from the act, perceiving sex only as a means of “release.”
STRENGTHENING TRUST RELATIONSHIPS
This point largely follows from the previous one. When a relationship between partners reaches a new level and they begin having sex regularly, the bond between them strengthens. It’s no secret that to expose yourself to someone, you first have to decide to do so. What does nudity mean in this case? By undressing, people are willing to show themselves to each other with all their flaws and weaknesses, and they are also willing to accept and love their partner’s imperfections. Intimate relationships are a level of closeness at which hiding anything from another is virtually impossible. This is why sexual intercourse typically fosters intimacy, cementing a habit and a connection with a partner.
PSYCHOLOGICAL PREPARATION FOR CREATING A FAMILY
For obvious reasons, sexual intercourse can spark thoughts of starting a family and procreation. If partners engage in sex exclusively with each other for a long time, the habit becomes ingrained both biochemically (smells, sensations) and psychologically. The longer people are in a relationship, the stronger the emotional connection they experience. Partners become one and begin to imagine each other as parents to their future child.
RESUME
As you can see, sex is a truly essential part of our daily lives, and simply another way to experience pleasure and enjoyment. Maintain a trusting relationship with your partner, be understanding of their perceptions of sex, and listen to each other’s desires.
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