Fifty Shades of Grey is inspiring couples to get busy all across the world. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and, let’s face it, that means more time with your significant other behind closed doors. Your love life might raise some questions among others, however the matter of sex is simply a grey area and one that has been proven to benefit your health in numerous ways.
According to Mercola.com:
1. Sex strengthens your immune system. Studies have proven that people who have sex more often (one or two times per week) have greater levels of the antibody immunoglobulin (IgA) A (at least three times as much as those having no sex or less frequent sex). Your IgA immune system acts as your body’s first line of defense and works to fight off trespassing organisms so that your immune system does not have to be activated at all or the need for activation is greatly decreased.
2. Sex acts as a natural pain reliever, especially for women during their periods, because this type of activity can help subdue cramps. Sexual activity also releases pain-reducing hormones that, likewise, can help decrease leg and back pain as well as pain from arthritis and headaches or migraines by increasing your threshold for pain.
3. Sex promotes sweat which cleanses your pores.
4. As an intense form of exercise, sex strengthens your muscles. Research has discovered that sex burns roughly four calories per minute for men and three calories per minute for women. Sex can also boost your heart rate and help improve your flexibility and balance; most importantly, while burning calories at the same time!
5. Sex can act as a natural sleep aid. After sex, a hormone called prolactin is released which is a relaxation stimulant that can encourage sleep. Oxytocin, the hormone that is released during orgasm, also promotes sleep.
6. Sex lowers your blood pressure and improves your response to stressful situations. Sex can also decrease cholesterol levels and regulate the rate of good vs. bad cholesterol, according to WebMD.
7. Sex increases bladder control in women because it helps strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which are the muscles that contract during an orgasm.
8. Sex promotes pleasure and intimacy between you and your partner from increased levels of the hormone oxytocin, which gives you the desire to “merge and bond,” according to Fitness Magazine, who also mentions that there is a rush of oxytocin after sex, giving you the desire to cuddle with your partner.
9. According to one scientific study, men who had sex regularly (at least one or two times per week) were 45% less likely to contract heart disease than those who had sex only once a month (or less). Studies have also investigated how sex may decrease the risk of men developing prostate cancer, but more exploration is needed.
Fitness Magazine states that:
10. Sex can keep you younger! Sex increases your blood circulation and the oxygenation of blood and can also give you an extra dose of glucose to help energize you. Additionally, sexual activity promotes the release of endorphins and growth hormones which can help repair damaged skin from years of sun exposure, smoking and cortisol buildup (the thinning of skin). Sex can give you something called a post-coital glow that brightens your complexion temporarily.
Overall, sex is a natural prescription for a happier and healthier life. We recommend that this Valentine’s Day, you see the newly released film, Fifty Shades of Grey, and spend some time reconnecting with your partner. Happy Valentine’s Day!
