This article is meant to express the importance of maintaining a healthy sex life throughout our life. Since I published The Great Sex for Life Toolkit, I have been repeatedly asked “Why is it important to cultivate our sexuality. Won’t it just look after itself?” So, the answer to that question is the topic I’ll be addressing in this article.

Sometimes, we forget just how important sex is. At times, events in our lives steer us away from the natural expression of our sexuality. Obviously sex feels good and we all know that there are many benefits of maintaining intimate contact with our partner through sex. But sex has lots of other benefits as well… some that we may not be as aware of.

At the most basic level, research is showing that loving sex is very good for our physical health and can be a powerful help in keeping our bodies running smoothly. For example, research shows that:

• Sex helps us maintain our pelvic floor muscles. Because, like any other muscles, these muscles will go weak without use. And weak pelvic floor muscle can lead to incontinence as well as the potential in women to have some of the internal tissues protrude out through the vaginal opening. Yes, I know that’s really gross but it can happen… So, the term “use it or lose it” definitely applies here.

• Also, research has shown that sex may help keep the prostate healthy, reduce the chance of heart disease, as well as boost your immune system.

• Research has suggested that Sex even helps you breathe better. It’s a natural antihistamine and may help combat both asthma and hay fever.

• Sex is also a perfect natural beauty treatment. For example, scientific tests show that when women make love they produce large amounts of estrogen which helps make their hair shinier and skin smoother. And if you can get a good sweat going, sex may also reduce your chances of dermatitis, skin rashes and blemishes. I can usually tell when my clients start having sex again because they actually look more vibrant.

• Overall, healthy sex is also good exercise and improves circulation. And it’s equal in calorie burning to exercise like swimming and golfing. Research is showing that overall; an active sex life may help us live longer.

• It’s usually an instant cure for mild depression, a safe and powerful tranquilizer with no side effects as well as a great pain reliever.

• And in regards to sex and spirituality, well, one study reported that 58% of people over 60 say they have experienced God during orgasm.  I leave that idea for you to ponder.

Recently, Men’s Magazine referred to the bed as the single greatest piece of exercise equipment ever invented. And the good news is…we all already own one! But, in spite of all these health benefits and the sheer pleasure potential of the act of sex, statistically large numbers of people report poor sex lives. Part of my job as therapist and sex educator is to encourage people to grow sexually throughout their lives because our sexuality is such a large part of who we are. Sex matters!

Perhaps now that you’ve been reminded how important sex is to your health, you’ll be even more motivated to nurture your sexuality by seeking information to enhance it. So here’s a question for you to ponder. Are you living your sexual potential? And if not; why not?

Krisanna Jeffery.
Registered Clinical Counsellor
www.krisanna.com
www.GreatSexForLifeToolkit.com

* Krisanna Jeffery is an Official Sponsor of the 101 Day Sex Challenge.