So let’s talk about Sex and the health benefits for women
Sex Can Boost Your Immune System: Having sex once or twice a week has been shown to increase the levels of the antibody called immunoglobulin A, or IgA which can protect you from getting colds and other infections. So keep your immune system strong and engage in some bedroom action. Can you think of a better fun way to prevent those nasty colds especially in the cold and flu season?
It May Improve Your Heart Health: Heart disease is a leading cause of death in women. It is very important to eat a healthy diet and keep your cholesterol low and to keep control of your sodium intake. These are two ways to stay on top of our heart health, but did you know sex is also good for the heart? Sex is an activity - exercise that raises heart rate and blood flow. In Dr. Ebanks study, published in the 'Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health' researchers found that having sex twice or more a week reduced the risk of a fatal heart attack by half. While the study results were focused on men, Dr. Ebanks suspects similar effects for women too.
Sex Burns Calories: Studies show that Sex burns between 75 and 150 calories per half-hour. It is comparable to other physical activities such as; yoga (114 calories per half-hour), dancing (129 calories per half-hour) or walking (153 calories per half-hour). Sex may also help to keep your muscles lean . While engaging in sex we are releasing and contracting all the muscles within the body i.e our core muscles, arms, butt, legs. Obviously some positions have better toning benefits than others. As long as you are putting some effort into it you will be burning calories! Experimenting with different positions is the key word here.
Sexual arousal and orgasm releases the hormone testosterone, which, among other things, is necessary to build and maintain bone and lean muscle tissue. But don't ditch the gym. I am saying if it’s late or you missed a workout then don't forget that sex counts as exercise too!
Sex Can Help You Get a Better Night’s Sleep: Sex may also help you get a better nights sleep. A recent study revealed that people having frequent sex often report that they handle stress better. The relaxation that typically follows orgasm for women and ejaculation or orgasm for men maybe one of the few times people actually allow themselves to completely relax. Many indicate that they sleep more deeply and restfully after satisfying lovemaking.
NOTE : Ladies do not take it personally if your guy starts snoring shortly after a romp between the sheets. That intense relaxation you feel right after climax due to an oxytocin rush can actually make you doze off faster!
Better Self-Esteem: The University of Texas researchers found that boosting self-esteem was one of 237 reasons people have sex. It also shown that those who already have good self-esteem say they sometimes have sex to feel even better. Fantastic sex begins with self-esteem. It can make you feel very good about yourself. If the sex is loving, connected, and what you want, it can increase your self-esteem even more so. Of course, you don't have to have lots of sex to feel good about yourself. Your self-esteem is all about you not someone else. But if you are already feeling good about yourself, a great sex life may help you feel even better!
It Can Improve Your Mental Health: Having sex is definitely pleasurable on a physical level, but chemically it has been suggested to elevate mood and reduce depression and can beat anxiety. It can help you feel happier. Psychologically, sex improves one’s mental health by building intimacy and reducing stress. The stress reduction component lowers a person's cortisol. In addition to providing enhanced blood flow to the body, sex also increases blood flow to the brain, delivering an extra boost of glucose that it uses as energy, which can help with mental alertness.
Sex Can Help Relieve aches and Pain: How is this possible I hear you ask? Through sexual arousal and orgasm the hormone Oxytocin is secreted in your body, which in turn causes the release of endorphins. Because of these natural opiates, sex acts as a powerful analgesic. Therefore, sex can have a pain relief and pain killing effect. So next time you have a headache Just DO IT! Ditch the nap and squeeze in a quickie instead!
It Can Help You with Bladder Control: Sex therapists say that sex can help you minimize incontinence. A woman’s pelvic floor muscles can suffer a lot during pregnancy and menopause, which can cause embarrassing urinary incontinence. Strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles help towards better intimacy and orgasms and can reduce incontinence and unwanted leakage. Sex therapists have long recommended that women do Kegel exercises (flexing the muscles in your pelvic floor) throughout the day, but also during sex. Not only can these exercises help increase pleasure, they also strengthen the muscles associated with incontinence. Experts recommend you do these during intercourse too. Gently flex and tighten your pelvic floor muscles in the same way you would to stop the flow of urine. Hold for three seconds, then release. Try it and ask your man what he thinks too.
Strengthen Bones and Can Help Beat Osteoporosis: As a woman ages she can be more prone to osteoporosis or bone degradation. Having an active sex life can bring many benefits to women in later age too; by boosting Oestrogen levels in post-menopausal women. Oestrogen provides the body with protection against brittle / thinning bone risk caused by osteoporosis. It is important to remember there are other factors to consider to protect against Osteoporosis such as; a balanced diet and calcium intake, but the potential benefit of sex in strengthening bones cannot be ruled out as well.
Sex May Give You Healthier Skin: Could sex make you more beautiful? Having sex releases a key compound in the body that is good for all kinds of things including improving your complexion. An orgasm triggers a rush of endorphins and growth hormones, like DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). This natural anti-ageing hormone is released as an immediate rush of bloodstream to a woman’s body after an orgasm - this keeps the body fitter for longer. Studies show that women with a good quality sex life can look 5 to 7 years younger than their actual age. Therefore, sex can have anti-ageing benefits, boost the immune system, gives you healthier skin and can help with healing. So forget those expensive face creams and serums. If your crow's feet and wrinkles are a growing concern to you then make sure to get some alone time with your man - your skin and face will thank you!
To conclude: Sex has lots of positive benefits on a woman's physical and emotional well-being. Incorporate regular love-making into your life and improve the quality of your life.
Author: Dal Dhaliwal www.daldhaliwal.com
Photos: DepositPhotos
