A healthy sex life is really good for us. Having sex is associated with many benefits, from improving your immune system to boosting your self-esteem. But what if life gets in the way and all you’re up for in the evening is an early morning with a hot water bottle instead of a steamy session with your partner?
The pressure to have sex on a regular basis can be immense, especially when the benefits of orgasm and physical connection with someone else are so well known. If you are too busy or too busy to get into the proper headspace to have sex, you may feel guilty or united nationsenergy.
To find out whether you should worry about preferring an early morning gym session to a pre-work chat, we asked experts to describe whether sexual well-being can coexist with other priorities. I came.
Fatigue and Sex: Common Barriers
I’ve always loved sleeping, but since I became a mother, it’s become even more precious. Gone are the days spent lazy lying down on weekends. I literally dream of sleeping uninterrupted. So it is highly unlikely that anything will happen between the sheets other than snoring.
I’m not alone: Fatigue is the most common reason couples don’t want to have sex, according to intimacy expert and therapist Sally Baker. “If you’re tired and don’t want to have sex, it should be perfectly fine to turn down your partner even if it’s not drama,” she says. stylist.
“But if you find yourself getting too tired to have sex often, you want to find out what’s going on in your relationship and when or why sex is no longer a priority for the two of you. You might think that.”
Sometimes it’s wise to prioritize sleep over almost everything else. Baker says, “If you’re recovering from an illness or you’re a new parent, your need for sleep dominates all other urges, including libido. No wonder.”
We also need to understand the symbiosis between sleep and sex, explains sex, love and relationship expert Selena Novelli. “Recognizing the relationship between sleep and sex is important because sleep and sex are tied to our bodies and minds.
“By prioritizing and getting quality rest, you can be fully present in your body when the mood strikes, allowing sex and emotional intimacy to flow more naturally. , leading to more connected and healthy relationships with ourselves and our loved ones.”
More sleep leads to better sex
Sleep expert and Rise Science co-founder Jeff Kahn agrees. “Prioritizing sleep over sex in the short term will help you have better sex when you do,” he says.
“Studies show that adequate sleep improves libido and sexual health in women, and is associated with increased sexual desire, improved genital arousal, and healthier testosterone levels that support both libido and sexual satisfaction. And the good news is that sex is a virtuous cycle that helps you sleep.
And better sex leads to more sleep
“Orgasms improve sleep by triggering oxytocin and prolactin and suppressing cortisol, making your body and mind more relaxed and falling asleep easier. It’s a win-win,” says Khan. .
Is it healthy to prioritize fitness goals over sex?
If you’re more exhausted than frustrated by training for a marathon or a hard gym session, or if you’re busy chasing your fitness goal of waking up early in the morning instead of lounging in bed with your partner brake for a while.
“Sometimes it’s perfectly fine to prioritize fitness over sex,” reassures Novelli. “A regular exercise routine promotes good health and helps reduce stress and anxiety, thus increasing libido and making you feel more comfortable and confident in your own skin.”
Baker agrees. Exercise also strengthens our connection with our physical selves, helps us shift focus from the stress and anxiety we are experiencing, and may improve our sex life.
Sex and Exercise Release the Same Hormones
But if you have the energy, a post-workout makeup session can boost your self-esteem. “Sex to orgasm has a huge beneficial effect on self-esteem and creates a positive mindset,” says Baker.
“This is facilitated by the production of the so-called ‘feel good hormones’ dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which are released during and after sex. ”
Communication is the key to a better, healthier sex life
If you’re still struggling to find the time and energy to be intimate, rest assured that it’s completely normal. “Sex time and energy limitations in long-term relationships are part of the reality of being a couple,” Baker advises. “Keep communication open and discuss what’s going on with your partner. is important, so that partners are not left in the dark or doubting themselves.”
And if you are not a couple? I have good news for you. “Sex with yourself has everything, even if it doesn’t more about the benefits of having sex with a partner,” says Baker. “All in all, it’s an ideal primer for a good night’s sleep.”
