Orgasmic Sleep
Let’s get a little taboo and talk sex
When it comes to sleep hygiene, the only things allowed to do in bed are sleep and sex. Sex is important to our health and wellness, which includes sleep. There are connections and a relationship between sex and sleep that knowing them can improve your sleep.
Just like there are stages of sleep, sex also has stages:
Desire: known as libido. This is a motivator or drive for sex
Arousal: this is the physical response, increasing blood flow to genital areas
Orgasm: the climax stage
Resolution: relaxation stage
In the study “Sex and Sleep: Perceptions of Sex as a Sleep Promoting Behavior in the General Adult Population”, it concluded that
orgasms with a partner provided favorable sleep outcomes.
Even though orgasm with a partner yielded better sleep, masturbation still showed to improve sleep. But why? After an orgasm, the body releases hormones such as oxytocin and prolactin, that promote happy feelings. At the same time, cortisol, the stress hormone, decreases.
Having good sexual health is just as important as good sleep health. Lack of sleep can decrease sexual desire and arousal. Sleep disorders can negatively impact sexual activity. Sexual concerns are common and just as important as sleep concerns. Let’s beak the taboo stigma and have the conversations.
Remember to stick with good sleep hygiene skills to not only keep your sleep optimal but your sex game on point as well. Some specific sleep hygiene tips include:
Creating ambiance in your bedroom to be inviting for sleep and sex. I.e. comfortable mattress, cool temperature, breathable sheets, good pillow, blackout blinds, white noise machine, etc.
Adhering to a set sleep schedule and waking up the same time every day
Implementing a sleep routine of shutting down devices, doing self-care and relaxation techniques
Being a jumping bean and getting out of bed if you cannot sleep
Avoiding caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol 4-6 hours before bed
Sex is healthy and beneficial for our health and wellness. Not to mention it is fun and feels damn good. Because we have one body, that means everything effects another part. Emotions effect physical. Physical effect emotional. Sex effects sleep and sleep effects sex. Your new health prescription is to implement more healthy sex into your life starting today. Here’s to an orgasmic night’s sleep.
Written by Amber Simpson, LCSW, CCATP, CMHIMP, PMH-C
Struggling to improve your sleep? If so, lets get started.