How Sex Can Help Manage Stress

Stress can affect our sex lives in different ways, which I think most of us already know. But for the main part I think that many find that stress zaps us of all our sex drive and indeed it can.

But, the good news is stress may be responsible for a low libido and sex can be a fantastic stress reliever. Remember all the old jokes about uptight people needing a roll in the hay? Well there is truth in that.

Arizona state university made a study involving 58 middle-aged females. This study showed that these women who were shown physical affection or had sex with a partner showed signs of less stress and a much more positive mood the next day, It has to be pointed out that the same results were not found in these women when they had an orgasm without a partner involved.

In a nutshell this study showed that physical intimacy and sex left these females feeling less stressed and in a better mood the next day.

This same positive energy then led to the desire for more sexual activity the next day. This in itself shows that this type of stress management can work both ways. More sex less stress, less stress more sex.

Sex can also help in times of professional stress such as in a work situation, public speaking etc. Another study showed that people who had recent sexual activity tended to have lower baseline blood pressure or less of a blood pressure rise during situations that are stressful.

Keeping along the line of stressful situations this study also looked a the cortisol levels and heart rate of women as a measure of stress response. The findings showed that women exhibited less stress after physical contact with a partner. It also showed that emotional support did not have the same positive results as a physical connection.

Let's move on from 'scientific' findings and just take a basic look at what sex can do for you to relieve stress.

Well, first and foremost having sex can take your mind off of your worries for a time but it can also:

Encourage deep and relaxed breathing, which in turn oxygenates the blood and reduces the feelings of stress.

Provide the sense of touch that is needed for emotional health. Massage is a great stress buster and those who are not touched regularly will fail to thrive.

Release endorphins and other feel good hormones.

Give a great physical workout. Depending on how energetic your sexual encounter becomes you can burn up many calories.

Unfortunately too many allow their sex drive to suffer when under stress. My advice is, when stress takes hold make an effort to get past that and drag your partner to bed.

Remember stress and sex go hand in hand. Beat stress and have a great sex life.