It’s a well-known fact that in relationships lasting years or even decades, both libido and the frequency of sex can begin to wane. In fact, about two-thirds of couples wish they had more sex, and half of them feel that their sex lives lack excitement, according to one survey. Making a point to have sex more often not only improves your relationship, but it confers many health benefits.
Six Reasons to Have Sex More Often
- Having lots of sex improves your immune system. Researchers found that those who have sex multiple times a week have higher antibody levels than those who don’t. With regular sex you’ll likely get fewer colds!
- A healthy sex life is one of the best natural antidepressants, reducing stress and releasing feel-good hormones.
- A study on rats showed that sexually-active adults have a higher number of neurons in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that stores memories. Being more sexually active could very well improve your learning abilities!
- Having sex regularly can reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease. A study demonstrated that men who had sex less than once a month were 45 percent more likely to contract heart disease.
- Vigorous lovemaking can help keep your period regular. This effect is due to two factors. The first is that sex reduces stress, which is a factor in period regularity. The second is that exposure to male sweat reduces fluctuations in luteinizing hormone.
- Multiple studies have shown that frequent ejaculation reduces the risk of prostate cancer, although it’s not entirely clear why this is. This is an especially important benefit of sex for older couples!
The Best Times to Have Sex
If you and your partner are both morning people, sex is a great way to start the day. Men’s testosterone levels are higher in the morning, which can increase sex drive.
Working out improves self-esteem and body image, which can make you more likely to want to be intimate. The increased blood flow and adrenaline caused by exercise will also make it more easy to become aroused. Regular exercise makes men less likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. One study from the University of Texas showed that just a 20-minute bike ride increased genital blood flow in women by about 2.5 times. Additionally, exercise improves mood and alleviates depression and anxiety, which are both factors that can contribute to a low libido. Go for a jog with your partner and you might just feel like having a romp in the hay afterward.
A great time to have sex is right before a work presentation, job interview, or other stressful event that makes one of you nervous. Having sex will reduce your nerves. In fact, a study from the University of Paisley found that people who had sex in the morning were less stressed and had lower blood pressure later in the day. This relaxing effect is due to the release of hormones, such as dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins, that are released after orgasm.
If you and your partner find it hard to make time for lovemaking, one solution is to have a weekend away together. Even just a couple of hours away at a hotel once or twice a month will help rekindle the physical side of your romance. A study of over 1,000 people found that although only 19 percent of couples have sex at least three to four times a week during their daily lives, a full 74 percent of couples have sex at least three to four times a week when they’re away on vacation.