If you’re a regular here, you probably know that I’m passionate about exercise and physical activity – encouraging women to move their bodies every day and to incorporate exercise into their daily lives. It’s my #1 tip for living a calmer, healthier, sexier life!
And in today’s post I’m sharing an extra reason to exercise regularly – the benefits of exercise for your sex life – plus ways it boosts your mind and body.
You may not have thought much about an exercise and sex connection, but it makes sense, doesn’t it? If you’re healthier, stronger, and more fit – and feel better about your body – you’ve set yourself up to be better able to enjoy sex and intimacy.
So if you’re ready to get double (or triple!) rewards for your workouts, here are 4 benefits of exercise for your sex life – as well as your body, mind, and marriage.
• Exercise reduces your risk of getting sick or becoming disabled.
What it means for your health – Regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer and many other serious health problems.(1,2)
In other words, people who exercise regularly are significantly less likely to develop the leading causes of sickness, disability and death. The scientific evidence for these benefits is very strong – strong enough to make the time and energy you put into exercise well worth the effort.
What it means for your sex life – Serious health problems affect your energy, mood and ability to perform sexually. A healthy heart and blood vessels promote blood flow (good for sex), while an unhealthy heart and blood vessels impair blood flow (bad for sex).
Diabetes and high blood pressure, in particular, can seriously impair sexual performance, particularly in men. (An excellent reason to encourage your husband to exercise with you!)(3) So to ensure that your body is primed for sex and intimacy, exercise regularly to help prevent (or minimize) major health problems.
• Exercise promotes good mental health.
What it means for your health – Regular exercise reduces depression symptoms – studies have shown that it can be an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression.(1, 4) It may also reduce stress and anxiety and promote better sleep.
Exercise also releases endorphins, which are brain chemicals that reduce pain and enhance feelings of well being.
What it means for your sex life – Depression suppresses libido and zaps the energy needed to enjoy sex and intimacy. Stress, anxiety and lack of sleep can also inhibit libido, especially in women.
Regular exercise, by reducing depressive symptoms and anxiety, may create a positive attitude toward, and greater energy for, sex and intimacy. (People who are suffering from depression should seek medical care and discuss a range of treatment options, including exercise, with their physician.)
• Exercise promotes healthy body weight and positive body image.
What it means for your health – Excess weight contributes to many serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.(5) Losing weight reduces the risk of developing those problems.
Regular exercise, when combined with eating a healthier, lower caloric diet, promotes weight loss and maintenance of a healthy weight. People can lose weight and keep it off without exercising, but it’s difficult.
More than 90% of members of the National Weight Control Registry, for example, composed of people who have lost an average of 66 pounds and kept it off for 5.5 years, used both exercise and calorie restriction to lose weight and maintain their new, lower weight.(6)
What it means for your sex life – For many women, being overweight often negatively affects their body image and sexual feelings. Although beautiful, sexy bodies come in all shapes and sizes, the reality is that most women feel sexier and more confident if they maintain a body weight that’s healthy for their height, build and age.
And regular exercise can help them move toward that goal. It also tones muscles and builds strength, both of which contribute to a positive body image.
• Exercise increases energy and promotes sexual satisfaction.
What it means for your health – When people feel weary and worn out , their natural inclination is to rest or take a nap. Researchers have discovered, however, that people who take a walk feel better and report higher energy levels than those who rest or nap.
And over time, people who begin an exercise program report higher levels of energy than those who remain sedentary.(7)
What it means for your sex life – People who feel energetic are more likely to be in the mood for sex and to enjoy sexual activity. This is especially true for women, whose libido is often closely linked to fatigue and energy levels.
So anything that boosts energy is a plus. And in addition to boosting energy, exercise may increase desire and sexual satisfaction (4) – a win-win situation
all the way around!
If the thought of starting to exercise seems overwhelming, here are some ideas for fitting it into your busy schedule. Also, if you need some help setting up a regular exercise plan for yourself, check out my ebook, The Busy Woman’s 30-Minute Guide to Exercise. It will help you set up a plan for beginning to exercise regularly, one that takes into account your reasons for exercising and your busy life and schedule.
Use the code FRIEND25 at checkout to save 25% off the regular $5 price.
References and Additional Reading: (1) Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2) Exercise is Medicine (3) WebMD – Exercise Benefits for Men (4) WebMD – Exercise and Depression 1 Exercise and Depression 2 (5) WebMD – Obesity (6) National Weight Control Registry (7) WebMD – Exercise and Energy
Karen G says
Love that you connect health and sexy together. It really is hard to feel sexy and enjoy sex when you don’t feel very good.
GC says
Thanks Karen. You are so right about that.
Gaye
A. Blake says
This is so true, for men and women of all ages!
Joi @ Rx Fitness Lady says
Pinned and shared on FB! I’m sure it will spark some interest!
GC says
Thanks Joi. I’m already seeing extra traffic from FB and was thinking, “I wonder where that’s coming from?” And Pinterest has been really good for my blog. I appreciate the opportunity to link up with you.
Gaye
Fawn @ Happy Wives Club says
I can definitely vouch for the exercise = better sex = better sleep. Take last night for example… 🙂
GC says
LOL! Both are good for headaches too!
Gaye
Sam says
It’s very easy to say to yourself that ‘I’m too tired to exercise’. Every time I hear my inner voice saying this I tell myself that I’ll just do the first 5 minutes. I’ve never once stopped after 5 minutes and that tiredness I felt before exercising is soon replaced by feeling ‘fantastically energised’ after exercising.
GC says
Hi Sam – I love the idea of telling yourself “just the first 5 minutes!” What a great way to overcome the inner voice that almost always says “I’m too tired to exercise.”
Thanks.
Gaye
Jenn says
This is really great information but it is in direct opposition of my natural instinct to move as little as possible 😉 Seriously, though, I have struggled with insomnia and depression since my teens and it really is soooo much better when I exercise regularly, something I haven’t been doing since having children. I’ve been telling myself I need to start again, but then I go on Pinterest or YouTube and next thing you know it’s a week later. Maybe I should strap my laptop to me and do some squats while I surf 😉
Here from SITS sharefest.
GC says
Hi Jenn – I have read that regular exercise is really helpful for depression, even as helpful as medication for some people. I hope you can get back on to an exercise program and really start feeling great. The first few weeks are hard – just getting the pattern/habit established – but after that I think it gets easier.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Gaye
bequoted says
I better start working out more often! More benefits in exercise than I thought! #sitssharefest
GC says
LOL – very true!
Gaye
food4thoughtnyc says
Great post! I’ve been pretty committed to my exercise program for over a year now, but I just took a week off (the longest break I’ve taken in forever) and it was amazing how much of an uphill battle it is to get yourself motivated again. My brain was able to rationalize why I should work out but it took some time for me to work up the nerve to just do it. I finally made it to the gym today and once I started lifting, it was like “oh this is why you do this!” which was like a huge relief. Anyway, it’s great to be reminded of why exercise is so beneficial and the importance of commitment. Thanks! 🙂
GC says
It is SO hard to get back on track, which seems crazy to me. I’ve been off my regular exercise routine for about 10 days now (some exercise, but not my normal level) due to work schedule, hubby and I both getting sick, and mother recovering from surgery, and I can already see that I’m going to struggle to get back on track.
Thanks for stopping by.
Gaye
Robin says
I started an exercise program a couple of months ago and it’s amazing how much it has improved all areas of my life. Thank you for coming by and sharing this on Fluster Buster’s Creative Muster Party.
Robin
Fluster Buster
CarliAlice (@CarliAlice) says
Great post! Even if you exercise for health, everyone enjoys the benefit of a healthy self image.
Happy Saturday Sharefest!
GC says
Thanks CarliAlice. I agree – improved body image is one of the best benefits of regular exercise.
Gaye
Juggling Real Food (@JugglngRealFood) says
You are so right. It is just so difficult to fit exercise in to a busy schedule. Thanks to you, I am looking for pockets of time to fit in exercise and just trying to be more active overall.
GC says
Hi Christina – It is hard to fit it in, that’s for sure. And although I love a good focused workout, a lot of times I’m doing the same as you – looking for pockets of time and trying to be more active overall. I will walk at lunch, walk during kids’ sports practices, walk after dinner, walk on the treadmill and catch up on some reading – whatever it takes to keep moving.
Gaye
fromadoctorswife says
Amen sister:-) Thanks for linking up with Medical Monday’s. I always enjoy the posts you share!
GC says
Thanks so much! I always look forward to the first Monday and linking up with you.
Gaye
messymarriage says
I make a commitment to exercise 3 to 4 times a week, but also have Rheumatoid Arthritis, so that throws me a few curves every now and then, Gaye. But I firmly believe that keeping my body in shape has helped not only my sex life and body image, but improved my RA symptoms. I’m so glad you’re making that connection between the shape our body is in and our sex life. It’s so very important! Thanks for linking up and RTing. You’re such a sweetheart!
GC says
Thanks Beth. I don’t know very much about RA, but have heard that exercise can help if done properly. So sorry that you are having to deal with that – I know it is difficult.
Thanks for your kind words and support.
Gaye