We often associate healthy relationships with sexuality, assuming that happy couples have sex more often than couples who aren’t doing so well. But have you ever thought about what exactly it is about sex that has such a positive effect on a relationship? More and better sex is linked to positive changes for both you and your relationship. Think of lower blood pressure, less stress, more intimacy, and even a lower divorce rate.
In our online sex shop, we have plenty of sexual enhancers that help couples in the Netherlands keep their sex lives in tip-top shape. They work, for example, by boosting libido, making sex more enjoyable through improved blood flow, or by helping you relax so that many people can enjoy it more again. Think, for example, of the popular Libido Liquid, or the intensely effective Sex-E Happy Caps. The selection is incredibly vast, but if you’re still wondering why these products can save your relationship, we have good news: today we’re going to tell you more about it!
1. Sex provides an emotional high
That blissful afterglow is one of the main reasons people do super-intense workouts. And it turns out that after sex, you experience a similar high, thanks to the release of feel-good hormones. Here’s how it works: Sex releases dopamine in the brain, which boosts your motivation and sense of happiness; testosterone, which improves your performance at work; and endorphins, which lower your stress levels and minimize pain. All these hormones together play a complex role in bonding people and are essential for maintaining the glue that holds a relationship together.
Furthermore, a study published in *Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin* found that sex promotes overall well-being and fosters positive emotions, especially within 24 hours of the act. So, in addition to immediate gratification, the physical encounter with a partner creates a kind of lasting “high” that can strengthen your relationship, mood, and emotional bond. Sounds good, right?
2. Sex can reduce stress
Are you dealing with stress? Then you know it’s no fun. Here at Dutch-Smart, we offer a wide range of products in our shop with soothing or calming effects, but according to many people, few things relieve stress quite like sex. Sex releases oxytocin into the bloodstream, which promotes relaxation and stress relief. And oxytocin also combats cortisol, the main stress hormone.
In fact, researchers have discovered that sex is comparable to eating comforting “comfort food” in its ability to reduce tension by stimulating the brain’s reward system. What’s more, an orgasm isn’t necessary to reap the benefits: your body releases oxytocin after just 20 seconds of skin-to-skin contact, so any form of physical touch is beneficial—even an intimate cuddle session!
3. Sex boosts your self-confidence
For some people, having regular sex can cause their self-confidence to soar to unprecedented heights. Many people experience a certain degree of insecurity, whether it relates to our physical bodies or not. Being validated by someone we love and trust can help build self-confidence. If our customers are to be believed, this is one of the biggest reasons why people invest in libido products.
Self-confidence is incredibly important. A 2012 review of research on the topic found that “body image issues can affect all domains of sexual functioning,” from desire to arousal to satisfaction.
4. Sex can boost your sleep
In addition to increasing oxytocin and lowering cortisol, sex also improves your sleep because you release a hormone called prolactin when you have an orgasm. This chemical can lead to deeper sleep and more time in the REM phase—the part of the sleep cycle where your brain and body recharge and your dreams come to the forefront.
A good night’s sleep is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle, not least because it boosts your mental well-being. And greater mental well-being means less irritability, which means you’ll argue less with your partner. For an extra love boost, snuggle up close to your partner before falling asleep (remember oxytocin?). According to research from the University of Hertfordshire, people who sleep while touching each other report the highest levels of happiness in a relationship.
5. Sex creates more intimacy even after the act
“Sex creates an intimacy feedback loop,” experts say. “The more intimacy you have in the bedroom, the more intimacy you’ll have outside the bedroom, and vice versa.” Research supports this. A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that sex predicts affection, and affection, in turn, predicts sexual activity.
"This loop is especially beneficial for people who have physical touch as one of their primary love languages. This, in turn, refers to a concept known as the ‘languages of love.’ If intimate touch is how you express love and receive love from your partners, then sex is a gateway to how you share affection and love, according to various sexologists.
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