Naughty PlansSleep and stress: intimacy as an ally
Many couples notice it: after a moment of intimacy, you feel more relaxed. Researchers have started to measure this feeling.
Sleeping better
In a survey of nearly 780 adults, people who had an orgasm with their partner felt they slept better and fell asleep faster. This is a reported feeling, not a laboratory measurement, but it was shared by women and men alike.
Coping better with stress
In a small study, volunteers logged their intimate life for two weeks, then faced stressful tasks: public speaking and mental arithmetic. Those who had had sex during that period saw their blood pressure rise less under stress. The study included only 46 people: to be confirmed, but encouraging.
Why?
Researchers point to physical relaxation, closeness and the hormones released at orgasm, such as oxytocin. These leads are still being studied: we know they exist, less precisely how they work.
In short
- A moment of intimacy in the evening can help you relax and fall asleep.
- Closeness and affection help you cope better with stress.
- If sleep problems or stress last, talk to a health professional.
Sources
- Lastella M., O'Mullan C., Paterson J.L., Reynolds A.C. (2019). Sex and sleep: perceptions of sex as a sleep promoting behavior in the general adult population. Frontiers in Public Health, 7, 33. www.frontiersin.org
- Brody S. (2006). Blood pressure reactivity to stress is better for people who recently had penile–vaginal intercourse than for people who had other or no sexual activity. Biological Psychology, 71(2), 214–222. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This article is for information only and does not replace the advice of a health professional. The studies cited describe groups of people and predict nothing for any one person.