5 ways sex can positively impact your life

When it comes to securing and maintaining an intimate bond between you and your partner, sex is often a pretty important factor. The effects of a healthy sex life, however, extend far beyond your romantic relationship into your everyday life — and you may not even realize it.

Here are just a few interesting ways sex has actually been proven to be beneficial in all sorts of different aspects of life.

1. It can help you enjoy your job more.

A recent study conducted by researchers at Oregon State University found that sex was linked to higher job satisfaction. 159 people who lived with their spouses and also worked full-time jobs were asked to take a survey three times a day for a period of 10 days that asked them questions about their frequency of sex and how they felt. Those who reported having sex the night before going to work were more likely to feel more positive and engaged in their work.

2. It can increase your pain tolerance.

Orgasms have the power to block out pain by releasing hormones that positively impact pain perception, says WebMD. Some research has shown that orgasming can help relieve pain from headaches. It may also help with chronic back and leg pain, arthritic pain and even menstrual cramps in women.

3. It may help you live longer (if you’re a man).

In an older study that looked at the relationship between sex and mortality in men, over 900 men ages 45 yo 59 were given a physical exam and asked about their frequency of orgasm. A 10-year follow-up revealed that men who experienced orgasm two or more times per week had a 50-percent lower risk of mortality. Higher sexual activity among men is also associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

4. It keeps you looking young.

Research has shown that sex may actually have a positive effect on appearance. A panel of judges looked at 3,500 men and women between the ages of 30 and 101 through a one-way mirror and guessed their ages. The judges underestimated the ages of those who had an active sex life by 7 to 12 years.

5. It boosts overall wellbeing. 

It was previously unclear whether sex made people happier or happier people had more sex, but now there’s research proving that sex does indeed lead to more happiness. Interestingly, however, it’s not the act of sexual intercourse itself that leads to happiness but rather the displays of affection that couples show to one another before, during and after sex.

In addition to the above benefits, there are claims that a healthy sex life may even help with sleep, be considered a moderate form of exercise, relieve stress, boost self-esteem, and more. The positive effects of sex are seemingly endless, giving you all the more reason to value and consciously work on maintaining or improving your sexual relationship between you and your romantic partner.