Feel good, inside & out. Let’s explore how sex can be great for your wellbeing
This article/page uses the terms ‘male/man/men’ and/or ‘female/woman/women’. Please note, this is in reference to the sex assigned at birth. We know and understand that trans and non-binary people will equally need support and their sex assigned at birth might not match their gender identity. Please assume positive intent wherever gendered language has been used in this article.
Sex isn’t just about pleasure – it can also have some surprising benefits for your overall health and wellbeing. From getting your heart rate up to helping you de-stress, intimacy can offer benefits beyond the bedroom.
Are there any health benefits of sex?
Let’s get physical
Did you know that sex can increase your heart rate? Any stimulation that gets your heart pumping is good for you and sex counts – depending on how much you go for it!
While it’s not a substitute for hitting your daily step count, having sex can raise your heart rate and improve circulation, contributing to better cardiovascular health. When paired with a generally active lifestyle, it’s another way to keep your heart in tip-top shape.
Having sex isn’t enough to keep most people fit and healthy, so you still need to try and get in the recommended 150 minutes of exercise a week, or 30 minutes a day five times a week. If you’re struggling to find your fitness mojo, these at home workouts could help.
Stress? What stress?
If you’ve had a stressful day (we all have them from time to time), you might find that intimacy or an orgasm can help you feel relaxed and help to relieve daily stresses.
This is because the endorphins (feel good hormones) released during an orgasm can help you relax.
Sex can also make you sleepy, so try keeping your bedroom just for sleep and sex!
Support your mental wellbeing
Sex can be a great mood enhancer. It may help to ease anxious feelings, support self-esteem, and nurture emotional closeness with your partner. For many, the connection and intimacy it brings can be a great way to feel supported and valued.
Whether it’s lifting your mood or supporting your sleep, sex has a lot to offer when it comes to wellbeing. That said, everyone’s comfort levels and circumstances are different, and sexual wellness is about what feels right for you.
If you have any health concerns or questions, a chat with your GP is always a good idea.
Can sex benefit all adults?
Sex can have benefits throughout adulthood. In the UK, the legal age of consent is 16, meaning sex should only take place when both people are of legal age and consenting participants.
For young people, it can often be a way to explore intimacy, relationships and emotional connections. For older adults, it can help with supporting physical health, mental wellbeing and providing a sense of companionship.
The key is understanding what works best for your personal wellbeing.
How can culture shape our view of sex?
Societal attitudes towards sex can shape how we experience its benefits. In cultures where open discussions about sexual health are encouraged, people may feel more empowered to seek intimacy and enjoy its wellbeing perks.
On the flip side, stigmas around sex can create barriers, making it harder to experience these positive effects. Open and honest conversations about sexual health can make a big difference.
Navigating the bumps
Let’s face it, sex and intimacy don’t always go off without a hitch. Life can throw a few curveballs, from stress and health concerns to relationship hiccups. But don’t worry, there are ways to tackle these challenges.
Stressed out?
Life can be hectic, but finding moments to relax can make a big difference. Set aside time for self-care and focus on fostering intimacy when you and your partner are calm and relaxed. A little mindfulness can go a long way.
Health conditions holding you back?
If pain, hormonal changes or low libido are getting in the way, make sure to speak to your GP. They’re there to help and can offer advice to suit your needs.
Relationship dynamics feeling off?
Good communication is key to any healthy relationship. Open up to your partner about your feelings, desires and any concerns. A little honesty can strengthen your connection and bring you closer together.
Make sure you’re communicating effectively with your partner by telling them what you like and don’t like. If they aren’t fulfilling your needs, approach the subject gently by suggesting new things you can try together. Just be as open and honest as you can with your partner and listen to each other.
To help maintain a happy and healthy relationship, make sure to respect one another’s needs and boundaries. You need to be able to trust the person you’re having sex with, and if you do, it can help with forming a positive relationship and positive wellbeing.
Remember, 100 percent consent is essential – you’re allowed to say no to your partner and change your mind during sex.
Struggling with confidence?
If body image or self-esteem is holding you back, consider taking small steps to feel more confident. Whether that’s talking to a therapist, practising positive affirmations or treating yourself to something that makes you feel good, every little bit helps.
Everyone faces challenges in their intimate lives from time to time. With patience, understanding, and support, you can work through them and rediscover connection.
Safer sex
If you’re sexually active, it’s important to practise safer sex by using a condom for all types of penetrative sex (and you may want to also consider condoms for oral sex to help make it safer), as condoms are used to help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The more sexual partners you have, the bigger the risk of catching an STI. It’s also important to be tested for STIs before having sex with someone new and advising them to get tested. Some STIs can have no symptoms, so make sure to speak to your GP if you’re concerned.
Other ways to be intimate
Intimacy doesn’t have to just be about sexual contact. Try some of these suggestions that don’t involve sex which can positively affect your wellbeing or make you feel relaxed:
Massages
If you aren’t in the mood for sex but you want to be intimate with your partner, massages can help with:
- Feeling relaxed with one another
- Getting to know each other’s bodies (or discover them again)
- Helping to reaffirm the intimacy between you
Touch each other
You don’t have to leave the touching just for sex. Make a point of touching each other throughout the day, whether that’s stroking each other’s arms, running your fingers through each other’s hair and kissing. Take notice of what puts a smile on their face and keep doing it!
Hug
Physical contact like hugging has been shown in studies to have positive effects on blood pressure by lowering your heart rate, helping you to relax. It’s also a great way to be intimate with your clothes on and shows your partner you care.
Spend quality time together
Sharing interests and taking time out so just the two of you can spend time together can help you feel intimate with one another. Even if you live together and see each other every day, it’s still important to do activities one-on-one outside of the home.
Exploring new things together is a great way to be intimate and can help improve your wellbeing, especially if you find new activities you can enjoy together.
Feeling sexy?
Having regular sex with a loving partner can also make you feel sexy and good about yourself, having a positive impact on your overall wellbeing. As we know, feel good sex in a lot of cases is linked to love. So, the emotional and social support you get from a loving partner – sex or no sex, can help to boost your sense of wellbeing.
Also, don’t be scared to spice things up in the bedroom, like trying out different products such as orgasm gels, vibrating rings or vibrating bullets.
Sex isn’t just about intimacy – it’s about your overall wellbeing. Whether it’s supporting your physical or mental health, the benefits of sex are worth exploring.
When it comes down to it, just do what works for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can sex help improve your mental health?
Yes, it can! Sexual activity, whether with a partner or through masturbation, may offer some psychological and emotional benefits. Think of it as stimulation for your mind as well as your body – it can help reduce everyday stress, help ease anxious feelings and support your overall happiness.
Research also suggests that sex can help to foster feelings of trust, intimacy and love in relationships, while also improving your ability to process and express emotions. Plus, it’s not just for young people. Studies show that sexually active adults over 50 often report better memory, lower feelings of depression and reduced loneliness.
Remember, everyone’s comfort levels and needs are different. If you’re feeling unsure about your sexual wellbeing or mental health, make sure to reach out to your GP for support.
What are the signs of lack of sex?
Not having sex can affect people differently, and for some, there might not be any noticeable changes at all – and that’s perfectly okay. Your sex life is personal, and there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to what’s right for you.
That said, for some people, a lack of intimacy over time may lead to feeling less connected. If intimacy is an important part of your relationship, you may feel less emotionally connected to your partner.
It’s important to remember that not everyone experiences this, and a lack of sex doesn’t automatically mean your wellbeing will suffer. What matters most is that your choices feel right for you and align with your personal preferences and circumstances.
If you do have worries about changes in your body or your wellbeing, speaking with your GP can help put your mind at ease.
