Stress and anxiety are all too familiar feelings, especially in our current times. Unfortunately, stress does more than just make us feel a little overwhelmed; it can have a seriously negative effect on both our physical and mental health. Fortunately, there are ways to manage stress and the physical symptoms that come with it and sex is one of those ways. Here are the top reasons why you should be fighting stress with sex.
Relax Muscles and Relieve Tension
When stress begins to take its toll, our muscles tend to tighten and become sore. Sex can help those sore spots by releasing the tension and relaxing the muscles. During sex, endorphins are released, which are hormones responsible for the promotion of relaxation and pleasure. Releasing this natural pain reliever helps ease any tense parts of the body.
Increase Endorphins
As mentioned above, endorphins are released during sex, which in turn improve your overall mood and reduce stress levels. The more endorphins released during sex, the more relaxed you’ll feel. Endorphins also have a positive effect on emotional wellbeing, making us less likely to become overwhelmed and more positive. Plus, endorphins are known to help the immune system, making us less susceptible to illness and depleted immunity caused by stress.
Improve Sleep Quality
Stress can greatly affect our quality of sleep, and lack of quality sleep, in turn affects stress. It might seem counter-intuitive but sex can actually help reduce stress and improve sleep. During sex, the body produces melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep and can also improve sleep quality. Another important factor to consider is that the relaxation and pleasure experienced during sex acts as a sedative and can help you fall asleep faster.
Improve Self-Confidence
Stress can sometimes wreak havoc on our self-esteem. Having sex can help boost self-confidence as we can make a conscious effort to enjoy and practice body-positivity. Sex will allow for moments of pleasure and peace of mind; as it helps us to move our focus away from stressors and onto something positive and pleasurable. Learning to appreciate and respect yourself during sex can go a long way in improving self-confidence.
Strengthen Relationships
When partners are feeling stressed, it can begin to affect the relationship. Couples can release tension and stress by being intimate with one another. When couples make time for intimate moments, it allows for spaciousness for connection and communication. This can help strengthen relationships and allow for moments of understanding and appreciation with your partner.
Stress can be quite a burden but with a few considerations, sex can be an effective and enjoyable way to feel relaxed, reconnected, and energized. By paying attention to the different kinds of pleasure that sex can bring, it can be easy to access optimal wellness and peace of mind. Remember that when you feel better, you are powerful and capable of anything.