YOGYAKARTA – Sex shouldn't be stressful, but sometimes stress can mess up your sex life. Both, stress and sex are related to each other. For example, when you face a stressful life, your sex drive is dampened or your libido drops drastically.
Healthy consensual sex, in general, can help the body and mind avoid stress. Even a quality sex life is beneficial in other positive cognitive, physical, and emotional aspects. However, sex can be affected by stress. Well, so as not to disturb the harmony of relationships and sex life, several self-care strategies can be done.
How does sex help manage stress? In a balanced production, the stress hormone, also known as the hormone cortisol, plays an important role in regulating the immune response, controlling blood pressure, and stabilizing metabolic processes. But when too much pressure can pump the adrenal glands to produce more cortisol. If there are more cortisol levels, the risk can trigger heart disease, chronic high blood pressure, and affect mental and physical conditions.
When cortisol levels spike, sex can be a natural and effective method of reducing stress hormones. As with physical exercise, stress releases endorphins that naturally improve mood. But the benefits of good sex aren't limited to making you happy during foreplay, active sex, and orgasm.
A 2016 study found that women who had quality sex had a lower risk of heart disease. To reduce stress that poses a risk to physical health, it is necessary to take appropriate steps to change lifestyles to become healthier. Such as cutting out processed sugar intake, starting a mindfulness routine, or managing stress appropriately.
Having sex helps release natural chemicals and hormones that make you feel good, including endorphins. When consensual sex, you and your partner are also helped in increasing oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. These three neurotransmitters when active offer long-term benefits that can relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety.
On the other hand, how does stress affect sex life? Higher levels of stress can interfere with sexual activity, lower libido, and trigger erectile dysfunction. To overcome this, the only way is to change the lifestyle. For example, by setting a schedule, prioritizing priorities, and building intimacy with your partner.
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