September 11th, 2009 DIVA 101: Frisky Friday: Eight Reasons Why Sex is Good for You

1. Sex is a fountain of youth. Sexual activity stimulates your adrenal glands and produces hormones. These hormones support vitality and mood, control fat, stress, and depression, and maintain a youthful vigor, lean body, and balanced immune system. Additionally, these hormones improve cognition, promote bone growth, and keep skin healthy and supple.

2. Sex is a stress reliever. Sexual activity increases blood flow, which provides your body with fresh oxygen and hormones. The physical and emotional release provided by sexual satisfaction reaches your core and melts away stress.

3. Sex is a sleep aid. After engaging in sexual activity, people sleep far more deeply and comfortably. An adequate amount of sleep protects you from a weakened immune system, a tendency to gain weight, and a vulnerability to depression.

4. Sex is a hormone booster. Regular sexual activity boosts testosterone and estrogen levels. Estrogen keeps vaginal tissue supple and protects against heart disease. Testosterone fortifies bones and muscles and keeps the heart healthy.

5. Sex is great exercise. If you have sex three times a week for an entire year, you’ll have burned as many calories as if you’d jogged seventy-five miles.

6. Sex is a pain reliever. Sexual activity promotes the secretion of oxytocin, which stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are natural pain relievers that alleviate aches and pains of arthritis, headaches, and other conditions.

7. Sex is an antidepressant. Endorphins created while having sex are a powerful natural antidepressant. This is reinforced by the balanced hormone levels, improved sleep patterns, and stress-relieving exercise provided by engaging in sexual activity.

8. Sex is a flu fighter. Studies have shown that people who have sex once or twice a week have a 30% higher level of antibody immunoglobulin A, which boosts the immune system and fights off colds and infections.

Source - The Passion Parties Guide to Great Sex: Secrets and Techniques to Keep Your Relationship Red Hot by Pat Davis