Premium Essay

8 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex

In:

Submitted By oraine
Words 851
Pages 4
8 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex
Of course sex is healthy, but did you know that a good sex life can provide specific health benefits? We spoke to the experts to find out just how sex improves our health (not that you needed any convincing).
1. It May Make You Thinner
Dread working out? Don’t break up with your treadmill just yet. But if it’s late and you haven’t made it to the gym, don’t forget that sex counts as exercise, too! “Sex burns between 75 and 150 calories per half-hour,” says Desmond Ebanks, MD, founder and medical director of Alternity Healthcare in West Hartford, Connecticut. It’s comparable to other physical activities, he says, like yoga (114 calories per half-hour), dancing (129 calories per half-hour) or walking (153 calories per half-hour).
Bonus: Sex may also help your muscles stay lean in the process. “Sexual arousal and orgasm releases the hormone testosterone, which, among other things, is necessary to build and maintain bone and lean muscle tissue,” he adds.

2. It May Improve Your Heart Health
You’re probably already aware that heart disease is the number-one killer of women. Eating a healthy diet, and keeping your cholesterol low and sodium in check are great ways to stay on top of heart health, but so is having sex. “Sex is exercise that raises heart rate and blood flow,” says Dr. Ebanks. “In a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, researchers found that having sex twice or more a week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by half.” While the study results were focused on men, Dr. Ebanks suspects similar effects for women, too.
3. It Can Help You Get a Better Night’s Sleep
What do you do to help you sleep? When chamomile tea and other remedies aren’t doing the job, sex may help—especially if you’re having trouble sleeping due to anxiety or stress. “People having frequent sex often report that they

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Social Problems Model

...and Los Angeles, all of these were done to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Stone Wall incident. In 1977 in San Francisco California a movement would be lead by a charismatic man, Harvey Milk, who would be elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Harvey Milk continuously fought to de-marginalize the LBGTQ community fighting and dying for his cause. Milk would be assassinated in 1979 becoming the communities first great martyr. Over the following 24 years this fight would meet with great victories and terrible disappointments. Today the battle for these rights still continues, with passionate people on both sides. Attitudes in most parts of this country are evolving, more people are in favor of gay rights and same-sex marriage, but this is not enough. This issue, which has been labeled so many things, needs to be called what it really is. This issue is a matter of civil liberties, this is a fight for the civil rights of a persecuted minority in the United States of America. Today this fight is being waged on the battlefield of marriage and until all people’s of this great nation are able to legally marry, not anything less, only then will they be treated with the respect and dignity that we are all granted in The Constitution of the United States of America. Claims-Making These claims are being...

Words: 2618 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Facebook

...10 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex The health benefits of sex extend well beyond the bedroom. Turns out sex is good for you in ways you may never have imagined. 1. Sex Relieves Stress A big health benefit of sex is lower blood pressure and overall stress reduction, according to researchers from Scotland who reported their findings in the journal Biological Psychology. They studied 24 women and 22 men who kept records of their sexual activity. Then the researchers subjected them to stressful situations -- such as speaking in public and doing verbal arithmetic -- and noted their blood pressure response to stress. Those who had intercourse had better responses to stress than those who engaged in other sexual behaviors or abstained. Another study published in the same journal found that frequent intercourse was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure in cohabiting participants. Yet other research found a link between partner hugs and lower blood pressure in women. 2. Sex Boosts Immunity Good sexual health may mean better physical health. Having sex once or twice a week has been linked with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A or IgA, which can protect you from getting colds and other infections. Scientists at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., took samples of saliva, which contain IgA, from 112 college students who reported the frequency of sex they had. Those in the "frequent" group -- once or twice a week -- had higher levels of IgA than those...

Words: 2773 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Two-Child Policy in China

...------------------------------------------------- iNDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PAPER December 15, 2015 December 15, 2015 Contents Introduction 2 Literature review 4 Proponents 4 Opponents 5 Advocate for the two-child policy. 6 Promoting consumption 6 Solving population aging problems 7 Balancing skewed sex ratio 7 Boosting the real estate 8 References 9 Introduction China has resolved to put an end to the three-decade-long one-child policy and each couple are allowed to have two children. Shortly after the announcement of the two-child policy, the article in appendix was written by a professor at Shanghai Academy in China Daily to advocate for the policy. And the target persons are citizens in China who meet the two-child policy requirement. The author used specific statistics to elaborate the population aging problems in current society (Logos). He demonstrated objectively that the two-child policy will benefit China both in the short run and long run and explained the benefits from improving demographic structure problems, boosting development of the service sector, strengthening domestic consumption and increasing innovation (Qu, 2015). The article was published at the right time when the two-child policy has been hotly debated. It would attract attraction of people who focused on this topic. And the author suggested the authorities put the two-child policy into force with assistance of more supportive policies as soon as possible (Kairos). At the beginning...

Words: 1907 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Wellness Benefits

...HR 599 | WELLNESS BENEFITS | They’re a lifesaver in more ways than one… | Og512 2/24/2010 | Employees are faced with obstacles and stressors on a daily basis both professionally and personally. Ideally, one would like to keep the two separated. Unfortunately, that rarely happens. Personal problems lead to undue to stress in the workplace and vice versa. This conflict causes a significant problem for employees and employers. Employees tend to develops mental and/or physical illnesses and as a result, employers are paying employees who cannot operate at full capacity. In an attempt to help combat this dilemma, employers began to offer Wellness Programs . Wellness Programs are organized and coordinated programs that have the goal of enhancing the physical, mental, and emotional status of individuals. Depending on the setting, a wellness health plan may also address spiritual and vocational well-being. Wellness plans are created for use by an individual at home, for employees in a work situation, or for members of a club, organization, or faith-based institution. Typically these programs are not self administered are usually done and provided in conjunction with the health care/medical benefits. These programs attempt to provide each employee with access to competent medical care, hopefully molding a lifestyle that includes proper exercise and diet, and cultivate a positive mental outlook. The plan is to help to minimize tensions in the workplace, create more of...

Words: 2997 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Lake Dziengel

...Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1053-8720 print / 1540-4056 online DOI: 10.1080/10538720903332578 Advocacy Coalitions and Punctuated Equilibrium in the Same-Sex Marriage Debate: Learning from Pro-LGBT Policy Changes in Minneapolis and Minnesota LAKE DZIENGEL St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota Policy change to actualize same-sex marriage requires planning and practices that can be most effective to advance marriage equality. This case study examines how building and maintaining strong coalitions aided in attainment and preservation of civil rights and protections for same-sex couples in Minnesota. As a historical policy analysis, it dissects collaborative strategies and events that led to a municipal domestic partner ordinance and state civil rights protections for sexual minorities in Minnesota during 1983–1995. Viewed through the lens of Advocacy Coalition Framework and Punctuated Equilibrium theory, findings support and highlight the importance of strategic planning of developing capable leaders, building strong coalitions, and capitalizing on events to garner public support and advance public policy toward civil rights protections and legal recognition for same-sex couples. KEYWORDS advocacy coalitions, punctuated equilibrium, policy, lesbian, gay, domestic partner benefits INTRODUCTION The city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a large urban community, passed a Domestic Partner Ordinance in 1991 as the result of intensive lobby efforts by community...

Words: 7472 - Pages: 30

Premium Essay

Self Monitoring Study on How Sleep Affects Stress Levels

...Can Obtaining Adequate Amounts of Sleep (between 8-9 hours) Reduce Stress Levels? BPS Wellness Paper Individual Self-Study Write-Up Intro My identified issue is lack of sleep and high stress levels. I do not maintain a schedule that would allow for enough quality sleep. I am also experience stress levels that are high, and suspect that lack of sleep may be a source of some of this stress. I have difficulty falling asleep and occasionally staying asleep. As a result I am often fatigued and tend to crave high fat sugary carbohydrates and overeat on them, to maintain mood and energy. Research Question Can obtaining adequate amounts of sleep (between 8-9 hours of sleep) reduce stress levels? My hypothesis is in order to lower my stress levels I would like to obtain 8 hours of sleep with and monitor the effects of this on my reported levels of stress. My rationale is my mind and body are more rested therefore my perception of stress and my ability to handle stress would improve thereby lowering my stress levels(Minkel et al., 2012) Sleep deprivation is associated with higher cortisol levels and with an exaggerated cortisol response to a stressor. I have not been obtaining a regular 8 hrs of sleep per night and have been feeling stressed.(“10 Surprising Effects of Lack of Sleep,” n.d.) My plan is to see if obtaining at least 8 hours of sleep lowers my stress levels. Method: Over the course of 21 days upon rising I will record the number of hours of sleep I receive. I...

Words: 4076 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Homosexual Marriages Should Have the Same Rights as Heterosexual

...Marriage Amongst All States · Legalizing Gay Marriage Amongst All States, but Naming it “Civil Unions” · Legalizing Gay Marriage/Civil Unions Against Some States, Recognizing it in All · Recommendation · References INTRODUCTION: Same Sex Marriages Having Same Rights as Heterosexual Marriages Gay marriage has been an active debate amongst politicians, religious figures, and the public. The debate has spanned over a decade with little change for either side. The issue of gay marriage is not just about the name of what the union is called, but the right to be able to legally join as homosexual couples with the same rights as heterosexual couples. Reasons for someone to be in favor of this topic are that there should be a separation of religion and politics, it deprives homosexuals of their natural rights, and this issue has escalated to violent hate crimes towards homosexuals. As it stands, currently 9 million adults are homosexuals, representing 4 percent of the 18 and over population in the United States with no signs of diminishing. Public administrators have done little in regards to helping ease the situation which can be easily settled with a clear mind and conscious. Currently, same sex couples who are currently married in some states are not having the same treatment as heterosexual marriages. Medical rights and insurance coverage issues are not being treated the same with homosexual couples. Currently, homosexual couples cannot claim their...

Words: 4035 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Catholic

...CATHOLICS CAN SUPPORT THE RH BILL IN GOOD CONSCIENCE (Position paper on the Reproductive Health Bill by individual faculty* of the Ateneo de Manila University) (Note: The opinions expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of other faculty. Neither do they represent the official position of the Ateneo de Manila University nor the Society of Jesus.) We, individual faculty of the Ateneo de Manila University, call for the immediate passage of House Bill 5043 on “Reproductive Health and Population Development” (hereafter RH Bill) in Congress. After examining it in the light of Philippine social realities, and informed by our Christian faith, we have reached the conclusion that our country urgently needs a comprehensive and integrated policy on reproductive health and population development, as provided by the RH Bill. We also believe that the provisions of the bill adhere to core principles of Catholic social teaching: the sanctity of human life, the dignity of the human person, the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, integral human development, human rights, and the primacy of conscience. Catholic social theology since Vatican II has evolved, on the one hand, from the emphasis on order, social cohesiveness, the acceptance of some inequality, and obedience to authorityto the recognition, on the other, of the centrality of the human person, and the concomitant need for human freedom, equality, and participation (Pacem...

Words: 7626 - Pages: 31

Premium Essay

A Comparative Study of Protections for Workers in America, Europe and Japan

...A Comparative Study of Protections for Workers in America, Europe, and Japan ------------------------------------------------- By: Freda Manning January 31, 2016 MBA 605 Business, Government, and Society Mercy College January 31, 2016 MBA 605 Business, Government, and Society Mercy College Abstract In this paper, I will examine and compare the impact of American, Japanese and European Labor laws and how it's managed throughout the society. I will begin by providing facts on employment protection throughout history for each country and identify their weakness. Next, I will discuss the impact of each country economic structure and how it influences the market and employee regulations. Finally, I will compare various facts of Japanese, American and European labor laws that have a significant impact on the new economic environment. Background In the 1980's employee protection was not a high priority for businesses. Many restraints put on small businesses prevented the growth of private sector corporations (Steiner & Steiner, 2012). Resulting in high unemployment rates and slow economic growth (Steiner & Steiner, 2012). There has been strains placed on the permanent employment system in Japan, because of the larger number of older workers and the increase in the retirement age (Gould, 1984). Historically the U.S government did not interfere in employee relations; employees at times were treated like property, or as a means for production cost. There was decreases...

Words: 2358 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Children

...For Immediate Release Gays and Lesbians Face Persistent Workplace Discrimination and Hostility Despite Improved Policies and Attitudes in Corporate America Findings of New National Survey by Witeck-Combs Communications/Harris Interactive to be Presented at Out & Equal Workplace Summit in Orlando on Friday, September 13 Rochester, NY— September 12, 2002— Two out of five gay and lesbian adults in America’s workplaces report facing some form of hostility or harassment on the job, according to a new national study conducted by Witeck-Combs Communications and Harris Interactive®. Moreover, almost one in ten gay and lesbian adults state they were fired or dismissed unfairly from a previous job or pressured to quit a job because of their sexual orientation. In addition, when over 2,000 Americans surveyed were asked which groups of people in society they perceive experience discrimination in the workplace, such as being fired, harassed or denied a promotion, almost three quarters (73%) answered ‘gays and lesbians’ – the second highest survey response, just behind ‘older adults aged 65 and older’ (78%). Other groups mentioned as vulnerable to workplace discrimination included ‘people with disabilities’ (68%), ‘women’ (65%), ‘African Americans’ (61%), ‘Hispanic Americans’ (60%), ‘Muslims’ (60%), ‘Asian Americans’ (44%) and ‘Jews’ (39%). The far-reaching online survey was commissioned by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, a non-profit organization that provides support and advocacy for...

Words: 2628 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Social Investment

...Social prescribing in general practice: adding meaning to medicine ‘There are few things we should keenly desire if we really knew what we wanted.’ Francois de la Rochefoucauld (French writer 1613–1680) Social prescribing is about expanding the range of options available to GP and patient as they grapple with a problem. Where that problem has its origins in socioeconomic deprivation or long-term psychosocial issues, it is easy for both patient and GP to feel overwhelmed and reluctant to open what could turn out to be a can of worms. Settling for a short-term medical fix may be pragmatic but can easily become a conspiracy of silence which confirms the underlying sense of defeat. Can or should we try to do more during the precious minutes of a GP consultation? Where there are psychosocial issues GPs do suggest social avenues, such as visiting a Citizens Advice Bureau for financial problems, or a dance class for exercise and loneliness, but without a supportive framework this tends to be a token action. The big picture difficulty with leaving underlying psychosocial problems largely hidden in the consulting room is the medicalisation of society’s ills. This ranges from using antidepressants for the misery of a difficult life, to the complex pharmaceutical regimes prescribed to patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes. This sort of medicalisation may help immediate problems (including driving the economy through jobs in the healthcare industries) but it is not enough if our society...

Words: 2499 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Americas Homeless Veterans

...Veterans, and we as citizens vote for the people responsible for making decisions on our behalf, isn’t this a direct reflection of us as a society? We tend to vote in favor of the politician who cuts the funding of social programs in the name of saving tax dollars without considering the consequences. There are always consequences. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, estimates the number of Homeless Veterans at roughly 50,000 on any given night while other sources place that number at roughly 130,000. I have found that all statistics given by any U.S. Government source are always extremely low, perhaps to influence public perception. The official definition of “Homelessness” according to United States Department of Health and Urban Development is as Monschau 2 follows: “An individual who lacks housing (without regard to whether this individual is a member of a family), including an of individual who’s primary residence during the night is a supervised public or private facility (e.g. shelters) that provide temporary living...

Words: 2815 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Are Children Drinking Enough Water?

...Is There A Connection Between Water And Cognitive Function? Introduction According to several studies conducted in the United States, drinking adequate amounts of water does more for children than just ward off dehydration. The studies were done to determine the hydration status of healthy children in the United States and the connection between water and cognitive function. The studies set out to prove whether or not mild dehydration has a negative impact on a child’s ability to function at school. Could there possibly be a connection between the two? Discussion of Objectives A recent study was conducted on a group of 9-11 year olds in Manhattan and LA on their way to school. The group was given 50 dollars to pee in a cup. The urine from nearly 2/3 of the children was considered too concentrated, an indicator that they were dehydrated. Why? Because they weren’t drinking enough water. Three quarters of the children did not drink water between the time when they woke up and when they went off to school (Greger, 2013). But most ate breakfast so they must have been drinking something. The problem is that other beverages are not as hydrating. The levels of sodium, sugars and amino acids in milk and juice can shrink cells and trigger the release of the hormone that signals dehydration (Greger, 2013). So, is there any actual negative...

Words: 1262 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

What Parents Are Saying to Their Children About Sex

...The Sex Talk: What Parents are Saying to their Children about Sex by Jessica Hausauer The attitudes an individual holds toward a particular topic are meaningful in that those attitudes are used to construct one’s social reality. Attitudes about sex are often centered around one’s political and personal belief systems, and when it comes to teaching young people about sex, parents ideally hold the prominent position of influence in adolescent’s lives. Debate rages over whether sex education should be an all encompassing component of U.S. public education and if discussed, which topics are appropriate for the classroom. While most parents support Comprehensive Sex Education, there are many who believe sexual matters are to be discussed at the sole discretion of the parent. With the focus of debate centering on whether or not sex education is best left to the parents, it is important to examine what exactly parents are teaching their children. Upon a review of the literature I found that the research regarding parents and children’s conversations about sex was lacking. Many of the studies were outdated or used questionable research methods. The purpose of this research project is to examine the experience of parent to child communication about sex. Literature Review The idea that knowledge has a direct impact on behavior faces a serious challenge when presented in the context of sex education. Much debate has centered on the efficacy of sex education programs in the...

Words: 5926 - Pages: 24

Premium Essay

Concept Analysis on House Bill 5043

...life planning includes all the decision an individual or couple make about having children (2007, Pillitteri). It is important for the health of children that as many pregnancies as possible be intended, because when a pregnancy is unintended, the mother is less likely to seek prenatal check, less likely to breast feed and less careful to protect the fetus from harmful substances. An individual’s or a couple’s choice of contraceptive method should be made carefully, with complete knowledge about advantages, disadvantages, and side effects of the various options. Important things to consider include the following: * Personal values * Ability to use a method correctly * How the method will affect sexual enjoyment * Financial factors * Status of a couple’s relationship * Prior experiences * Future plans The widespread use of contraceptives points to both an increased awareness of responsibility for contraception and options available. Understanding this concept, its work and how they compare in terms of benefits and disadvantages is necessary for successful counseling. Legal and ethical issues must also be considered when counseling clients. The arguments about contraception fall into several groups: * philosophical arguments such as the "natural law" argument * arguments based on different ideas of marriage, sex and the family * human rights arguments such as * 'procreative liberty' * a woman's right to control her own body ...

Words: 15541 - Pages: 63