Does sex have other benefits beyond the immediate pleasure? Are there negatives that come along with having more sex? If so, what are the pros and cons, and why?
(photo comes from here)
I began to think about these questions after my freshman seminar class on Tuesday. We had a class where we talked about stress and ways to deal with that stress. In the beginning we had to say ways that we cope with stress. Things such as going to the gym, listening to music, sleeping, and eating were very common answers. Nobody actually said sex, but the guest speaker said that in college a lot of people admit that sex is a way they try to cope with stress. I had heard this before, but I began to wonder more about it.
What makes people feel less stressed after they have sex? I started to look into this and found this website that talks about ways sex can benefit you. It mentions that you can have higher levels of antibodies which would then help with your immune system. This makes sense, because when you get sick you often feel more stressed. This usually is because you are often more tired and therefore get less done and because of that you stress more. The website also says that it,”Counts as exercise by burning five calories per minute”. This also makes a lot of sense, because when you exercise your body release more Endorphins into your brain. As you can see here, “They are commonly known as the happy hormone, simply because it makes you feel calm, relaxed, and pleasurable”.
Another way sex can help with stress is that by touching and hugging your brain also releases the “happy hormone”. Being intimate can also increase your self-esteem and overall happiness, which can reduce stress. Increasing happiness usually goes can in hand with being less stressed. Many other health benefits can come from sex as well such as lowering blood pressure, decreasing pain, lowering risks of heart attacks, and many more.
There is so many positives that come along with having sex, but are there any downsides to it? Well, not all sex can help reduce stress. This this site, formatted as a question and answer blog from the Columbia University says, “However, keep in mind that certain sexual situations may be inherently stressful, due to sexual and interpersonal challenges, concerns, and mishaps.” If you are sleeping around, or sleeping with someone who is in a relationship, this can cause more stress. You could be worried about pregnancy, diseases, or the more emotional part of it all. So, sex can help stress, but usually only if it is in a stable and monogamous relationship.
I believe that sex is one way to relieve stress due to the reactions it causes not only in your body but also in your brain. Sex is a literal release so I can see how it allows some people let go of stress and boost their overall health. In fact, there have been many studies supporting this claim. When ‘sex benefits’ is looked up on the internet, there is not a single article stating that sex is bad for you. On the occasion of one night stands and affairs I can understand how this is the exception due to the inevitable stress that surrounds both of these situations. But I do think that, even in these situations, there are small moments of release that benefits that individual’s health.
I believe that sex is one way to relieve stress due to the reactions it causes not only in your body but also in your brain. Sex is a literal release so I can see how it allows some people let go of stress and boost their overall health. In fact, there have been many studies supporting this claim. When ‘sex benefits’ is looked up on the internet, there is not a single article stating that sex is bad for you. On the occasion of one night stands and affairs I can understand how this is the exception due to the inevitable stress that surrounds both of these situations. But I do think that, even in these situations, there are small moments of release that benefits that individual’s health.