By Ari Liakeas
“Let’s talk about sex, baby, let’s talk about you and me…” Well, actually, let’s talk about the health benefits of maintaining a healthy, active sex life. Talking about sex and our sex lives is becoming a much less taboo conversational topic. People are becoming more open and authentic; some are even searching to understand how sex can become part of a health and wellness routine.
There is a rise in pleasure path health coaches like Laura Walter, feminine embodiment & tantric intimacy coach from Yoniverse Tantra, offering their services on understanding and finding more pleasure through holistic sexual practices and couples sex coaching. She explains the benefits of bringing more spice and intimacy into our world of relationships and sex.
In Booking.com’s 2023 travel predictions, 36% of travellers were interested in a pleasure retreat or sensual adventure. Since many of us let go a little and relax more on vacation, why not add a little va va voom to our trip!
Sex is an integral part of life. Having a healthy relationship with ourselves through masturbation or with a sexual partner, and understanding our needs, wants, and desires are essential.
Maintaining A Healthy, Active Sex Life
So, how do we maintain a healthy and active sex life for our physical, mental and emotional well-being?
Couples and relationship coach Jamie Faye of Jamie Faye Coaching feels it is vital to communicate with our bodies and feel good in our skin for successful relationships. She also says that it is crucial for women to have a self-pleasure practice, to connect with their body every day through dance and self-touch (this does not necessarily mean masturbation).
Nourishing our bodies with the right food enhances our energy levels and keeps our libido active. No one feels sexy lying on the couch eating chips and chocolate and watching Netflix, right? Our bodies are our temples. So let’s treat them as such and honour our sexy sanctuaries!
We can get our erotic on through food: share a healthy, aphrodisiac-infused meal with your partner, giving you all the energy you need for a steamy night of passion in the bedroom or on the kitchen table, whatever you prefer. Ooh arr!
The Physical Benefits
As well as burning calories and providing a workout, sex also:
- Boosts The Immune System: Research shows that people engaging in sex at least twice a week had balanced levels of IgA (Immunoglobulin), a vital antibody for preventing and fighting infection and disease within the body.
- Prostate Cancer In Men: A Harvard study found that men who ejaculate at least 21 times per month lowered their risk of prostate cancer by 35%.
- Increases Pelvic Muscles In Women: Strong pelvic muscles bring many benefits for women, such as: reducing incontinence and increased bladder control, relief of menstrual cramps and symptoms of PMS. Women can use many techniques to strengthen the pelvic areas, from Jade Egg practices to Kegal exercises using internal balls or without. Both these techniques are also promoted to help us achieve better orgasms and, of course, even more pleasurable sex!
The Mental & Emotional Benefits
Added to all the physical plusses are some tremendous mental and emotional benefits, such as:
- Stress Relief: Those who engage in regular, happy sexual activity don’t need to be told how good it feels! We get how the body and mind enjoy the ecstatic afterglow of orgasm. And this is undoubtedly a surefire way to relieve stress. But did you know that sex can help us lower our anxiety and balance Cortisol levels within the body caused by stress?
When at high levels, Cortisol can cause serious health issues. But, every time we have sex or an orgasm, we release a hormone called ‘Oxytocin’, also known as the love hormone. This gives us that blissed-out feeling and is very good for our physical and mental health. Nice!
- Improved Sleep: If you are suffering from insomnia or even just finding it challenging to get off to sleep, perhaps sex is the solution. Sex helps us release Dopamine, the happy hormone which relaxes us and aids sleep. Low levels of Dopamine within the brain can lead to depression and other mental health issues.
Relationship Health
I have to say that even writing this article has improved my sex life. Discussing the health benefits with my partner turned us on enough to do some “healthy research” of our own. It certainly encouraged us to get more intimate and deepened our bond further.
There are so many benefits to having a healthy and active sex life. It is crucial to cultivate a healthy attitude towards sex, learn about ourselves and discover our boundaries. This can encourage healthy relationships by increasing our libidos while creating more profound intimacy with our sexual partners, giving us an all-around better sexual experience.
What a fun way to stay young, happy and healthy!