Scientists suggest there’s a “sweet spot” for how often we should have sex to improve our mental health.
From spending time outdoors and exercising regularly, to eating a balanced diet and maintaining strong social connections, there are many ways to boost your mental well-being.
Exercising doesn’t always have to mean hitting the treadmill for 30 minutes; it can also include sex—an arguably more enjoyable way to burn a few calories.
Experts from Shantou University Medical College in China conducted a study involving 15,794 U.S. adults aged 20 to 59 to explore this further.
The newly published study explains: “While sexual activity is recognized for its physical health benefits, its relationship with psychological well-being is less explored. We hypothesized that lower self-reported sexual frequency would be independently linked to higher odds of depression, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).”
Roughly 21 million Americans have depression (Getty Stock Image)
The effect was most noticeable among study participants aged 20 to 30, according to Mail Online.
As for how it helps alleviate depression symptoms, it’s believed to be linked to the release of hormones like endorphins and dopamine during sex.
The study concluded, “A sexual frequency of 1-2 times per week showed the greatest protective effects on psychological well-being and may serve as a reference standard for mental health evaluation and monitoring during depression treatment.”
“Further research is needed to determine directionality, causality, and potential modifiers of this association,” it added.
Couples that have sex 1-2 times a week had lower rates of depression (Getty Stock Image)
Commenting on the findings, co-author Professor Mutong Chen said, “Regardless of sexual orientation, sexual activity provides benefits such as enhanced well-being and quality of life, with a significant impact on mental health.”
While sex offers many benefits, some couples find that their sex lives decline over time in their relationship.
There are reportedly five main reasons why men, in particular, may lose interest in sex.
Sex expert Tracey Cox identified these reasons as: issues with erections, feeling unattractive, mental health challenges (such as stress and depression), a generally low sex drive, and past trauma.
According to Associates in Women’s Healthcare, women’s decreased interest in sex may be due to hormonal changes, relationship problems, or physical illness.
