Regular physical exercise and a balanced diet cannot be overemphasized in our search for a healthy lifestyle and well-being. However, regular sexual activity is another surprising factor that can contribute to your overall well-being and cardiovascular (heart) health.
Though exercise has countless health benefits, research has shown that a regular and satisfying sex life can also promote heart health and overall well-being. Sexual activity is considered a form of physical activity and can help lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart attack.
Factors such as age, your state of health, and underlying heart conditions may affect the outcome of exercise and sexual activity on the heart. As you read on, you learn about the importance and the protective power of regular exercise and sexual activity for a healthy heart.
The Protective Power of Regular Exercise & Sex
Sex and Physical activities involving cycling, running, or jogging can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular fitness. Explained below are some of the undeniable benefits and various ways in which exercise and sex contribute to protecting and improving your health:
1. Lowers Blood Pressure
Regular exercise lowers blood pressure levels to improve blood flow and reduce the workload on the heart. The fluctuation in blood pressure during sexual activity helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels and strengthen the heart muscles.
2. Promotes Sleep
Both physical and sexual activities have positive impacts on sleep quality. Regular physical activity reduces insomnia symptoms and improves sleep duration. Releasing hormones during sex, like oxytocin and endorphins, promotes relaxation. Sexual activity before bed can help induce calmness and satisfaction, leading to a more restful sleep.
3. Enhance Blood Circulation
Exercise strengthens the heart muscles and stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, improving blood flow throughout the body. Improved blood flow ensures all organs receive sufficient oxygen and promotes the removal of waste products.
4. Management of Stress
Both exercise and sex are effective stress reducers. Sexual activity promotes the release of endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers. Endorphins, often called "feel-good" hormones, help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. All of this can harm your heart health. Similarly, physical activities like yoga, running, or team sports help release endorphins that promote well-being and relaxation.
5. Improves Relationship and Emotional Bonding
A satisfying and healthy sex life can promote emotional bonding and strengthen relationships. The release of endorphins during sex can promote a sense of intimacy and connection with a partner. Research suggests that people in happy relationships tend to have better heart health. A healthy sex life enhances emotional well-being and reduces stress levels, contributing to overall mental and cardiovascular health.
6. Weight Management
Regular exercise can help manage your weight by burning calories. A healthy weight improves metabolism and lowers the risk of developing obesity-related conditions, such as Heart diseases and diabetes, hence optimal heart function. Sexual activity can also contribute to weight management. The physical movements during sex can help burn calories. A healthy sex life can be a fun way to incorporate physical activity into your lifestyle.
Common Concerns About the Potential Stress on the Heart During Intense Exercise
While the benefits of regular exercise outweigh the risks, intense physical exercise can cause potential stress on the heart. Some of the concerns associated with intense physical activity include increase in the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias and increase the oxygen demand of the heart muscle beyond the blood supply available, leading to myocardial ischemia.
Additionally, people with known heart disease, such as a previous heart attack, hypertension, or bypass surgery, should get their doctor’s approval before engaging in an exercise program to avoid unnecessary strain on the heart. Suppose you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat. In that case, you should stay away from sex and other strenuous physical activities until you've been examined and cleared by your doctor.
Reasons for Not Engaging in Regular Sex
Some of the common reasons for not participating in regular sexual activity can include the following:
- Anxiety/Stress
Anxiety and stress can alter your interest or ability to engage in regular sexual activity. Various factors like performance anxiety and relationship issues can lead to stress. Insecurities about your body image, fear about not satisfying your partner, communication problems, and emotional disconnection with your partner can affect your desire for sexual intimacy.
- Physical Challenges
Some physical issues may make it challenging or uncomfortable to engage in regular sexual activity. Challenges like fatigue due to work or social responsibilities, physical disabilities, and chronic illnesses can limit movement during sex or decrease energy levels and sexual desires.
- Erection Issues/Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection during sex. This can be a great barrier to regular sexual activity for some men. ED can occur due to depression, health conditions like diabetes and heart disease, stress, relationship conflicts, anxiety, or side effects from certain medications used to treat high blood pressure, prostate insufficiencies, or depression.
How to Overcome
Various treatment options are available to overcome ED and other challenges affecting your desire to engage in sexual acts. Medications, lifestyle modifications, diet changes, and counseling can be used. Also, using male enhancement devices like penis pumps, penis clamps, penis hangers, and penis extenders has been found useful. Automatic penis pumps are mainly helpful in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
A penis pump creates a vacuum around your penis, encouraging blood flow. An increase in blood flow will help you achieve an erection. Some penis pumps come with a constriction ring that can be placed at the base of the penis to help maintain the erection. It also helps to improve the length and girth of your penis. We recommend consulting your healthcare professional before using a penis pump.
Conclusion
Incorporating healthy sex life and exercise into your lifestyle can offer protective benefits to lead a healthier and happier life. Regular exercise and a satisfying sex life reduce cholesterol levels, stress and blood pressure, significantly reducing the risk of heart disease. Ensure you consult your healthcare professional to determine which exercise routine is best for you or if you experience any alarming symptoms before, during, or after exercise.
| Medical Disclaimer: If you have any medical conditions, questions, or concerns, please speak with your healthcare provider directly. The articles on Zen Hanger are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice diagnosis, or treatment. |