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by: Susie Michelle Cortright
Quick quiz: Would you rather run 75 miles or have sex three times per
week for a year? Research shows that both activities burn the same
number of calories. (7,500, to be exact.)
We often think that something that feels good can’t possibly be good for
us. Now it’s time to think again.
Sex in a loving, intimate relationship has numerous health benefits. In
women, for example, the sexual act triggers the release of oxytocin.
Oxytocin promotes feelings of affection and triggers that nurturing
instinct. In men, sex encourages the flow of testosterone, which
strengthens bones and muscles and helps transport DHEA, a hormone that
may be important in the function of the body’s immune system.
Paul Pearsall, Ph.D., author of Super immunity, also maintains that sex
in a loving relationship helps the immune system by increasing the flow
of certain chemicals in the body.
Hugh O’Neill, editor of Men’s Health magazine, recently listed some
health benefits of sex, as well. Regular sex is regular exercise and has
similar benefits, including improved cholesterol levels and increased
circulation. Men’s Health also reported that men who have sex at least
three times each week may have a decreased risk of developing prostate
problems.
Sex, like exercise, releases endorphins. Endorphins contribute to the
runner’s high and diminishes pain levels.
An active sex life may help us live longer, too. Dr. David Weeks, a
clinical neurophysiologist at Scotland’s Royal Edinburgh Hospital,
conducted a study of 3,500 people ranging in age from 18 to 102. Weeks
concluded that sex actually slows the aging process.
Sexual therapists remind us that frequent sex is a form of exercise. And
feeling secure in a relationship leads to feeling happier, which could
lead to greater health--and a younger look.
In fact, these studies indicate that intimacy plays a key role in the
health benefits of sex. A promiscuous sexual relationship may actually
produce an opposite effect by introducing a sense of anxiety and fear.
In spite of all these health benefits and the sheer pleasure of the act,
Americans may still need a boost. At least one-third of American couples
report "inhibited sexual desire," according to The Masters and Johnson
Institute.
Sex therapists say sex acts on the principal of "use it or lose it." So,
for your heart, mind, and soul, the best advice may be to "Just do it!"
Susie Michelle Cortright is the author of several
books for women, including Rekindling Your Romance After Kids, and
founder of the award-winning Momscape.com, a website designed to help
busy women find balance. Visit
http://www.momscape.com today and get Susie's *free*
courses-by-email "6 Days to Less Stress" and "Rekindling Your Romance
After Kids."
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