2008 Woodie Awards
Don't forget to swallow
Erika Koop
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Life!
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By now we've all taken our sex education courses and know how to keep ourselves safe from the hazards that accompany sex.
Yes, there are many negatives that come with sexual intercourse, but, for a minute, let's talk about the positives. Specifically, how sexual activity offers physical and mental health benefits in addition to basic physical and mental pleasure.
First off, simply, sex can be a form of exercise. Exercise, of course, is one of the best ways to keep your body healthy, your mind sharp, and your energy levels up. During sex, your breathing and heart rates increase, muscles tense, and, depending on how enthusiastic you are, you can break a sweat.
Now, we know those are all desirable characteristics when you're running, lifting, or ellipticizing, so the next time you want to burn a couple extra calories without going to the gym, you can grab your significant other and spend a couple hours "sexercising" instead. It is also speculated that people who are more physically fit have better sex, because they have better aerobic and muscular stamina. If that's not a good reason to get to the gym, I don't know what is.
Notably, the exercise that occurs during sexual activity is most beneficial to cardio health because of the previously mentioned increase in heart rate. Men who have sex routinely (about twice a week throughout their lifetime) are less likely to have high blood pressure or heart attacks.
Females are likely to have lower blood pressure as well, but also, interestingly, studies have shown, that women who ingest their partners semen seem to have a lower risk of having preeclampsia, which is dangerously high blood pressure that accompanies pregnancy.
It also seems that semen can act as an anti-depressant when certain chemical components that get absorbed into the bloodstream through intercourse without a condom. Women who partake in intercourse without condoms seem to show less symptoms of depression than women who have sex with a condom or abstain. (Wow guys, first I give you a good reason for women to swallow, now a reason for sex sans-condoms!)
Yes, there are many negatives that come with sexual intercourse, but, for a minute, let's talk about the positives. Specifically, how sexual activity offers physical and mental health benefits in addition to basic physical and mental pleasure.
First off, simply, sex can be a form of exercise. Exercise, of course, is one of the best ways to keep your body healthy, your mind sharp, and your energy levels up. During sex, your breathing and heart rates increase, muscles tense, and, depending on how enthusiastic you are, you can break a sweat.
Now, we know those are all desirable characteristics when you're running, lifting, or ellipticizing, so the next time you want to burn a couple extra calories without going to the gym, you can grab your significant other and spend a couple hours "sexercising" instead. It is also speculated that people who are more physically fit have better sex, because they have better aerobic and muscular stamina. If that's not a good reason to get to the gym, I don't know what is.
Notably, the exercise that occurs during sexual activity is most beneficial to cardio health because of the previously mentioned increase in heart rate. Men who have sex routinely (about twice a week throughout their lifetime) are less likely to have high blood pressure or heart attacks.
Females are likely to have lower blood pressure as well, but also, interestingly, studies have shown, that women who ingest their partners semen seem to have a lower risk of having preeclampsia, which is dangerously high blood pressure that accompanies pregnancy.
It also seems that semen can act as an anti-depressant when certain chemical components that get absorbed into the bloodstream through intercourse without a condom. Women who partake in intercourse without condoms seem to show less symptoms of depression than women who have sex with a condom or abstain. (Wow guys, first I give you a good reason for women to swallow, now a reason for sex sans-condoms!)