While having sex, you’re typically not thinking about how great your skin is going to look afterward. But like other good-for-you activities, the benefits of having sex extend far beyond whatever pleasure is derived in the moment. In fact, having sex has both physical and psychological effects that can benefit skin health for women, in particular, and can even make you look younger.
AlisaVitti, founder and CEO of Flo Living and a functional nutrition and women’s hormone expert, explains that it’s important to first define what “having sex” means, because not all sex is equal.
“For women, the sex that benefits us is clitoral stimulation and it turns out that achieving climax is not necessary to achieve all the health benefits,” Vitti explains. “Most people confuse the words orgasm and climax. They are two distinct things. Climax is the big finish. Orgasm is everything else, and the longer you stretch out orgasm, the more nitric oxide and oxytocin you will produce, which triggers all the other benefits,” Vitti says.
This so-called “orgasmic plateau” is beneficial for men, too – a time in which nitric oxide is produced to create an erection. For men, however, ejaculation can actually be depleting, says Vitti, leading some biohackers to practise refraining from climaxing in order to retain the benefits from erection alone. (This isn’t completely necessary to see skin health improvements – there are other ways in which sex benefits everyone regardless of whether climax occurs.)
The release of that nitric oxide and oxytocin can help balance hormones, flush out cortisol, boost collagen production and slow the ageing process. In women, it even helps regulate ovulation. “When your immune system, your stress response system and your reproductive system are performing optimally, the skin has a chance to perform optimally, too. When they are stressed and underperforming, you will see it on your face,” Vitti says.
That oxytocin boost can be calming and encourage better sleep. “A restful night sleep is associated with higher energy levels, improved memory, heightened immunity and boosted health – all of which can contribute to healthier skin,” shares Jess O’Reilly, a sexologist and host of the Sex With Dr. Jess podcast.
Notice that your skin breaks out before big work events or travel? Sex might be a good idea to calm stress-induced acne. Sex can lower cortisol, a stress hormone that can cause overactive sebum glands (i.e., cause oily and more breakout-prone skin) when raised. High cortisol can also aggravate existing skin conditions, like psoriasis and dermatitis. “One study found that those who had recently had intercourse responded better and had lower blood pressure when put into stressful situations,” O’Reilly says.
And when sex is especially vigorous, it can act as exercise, boosting blood circulation that brings nutrients to the skin; it may even have anti-inflammatory effects. “This rush of oxygen and nutrients promotes the development of collagen to prevent skin sagging and regenerates new skin cells to keep the skin glowing and exfoliating properly,” said board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman in a previous interview with HuffPost.
As for that post-please glow? It’s absolutely real. O’Reilly explains that sex can increase levels of DHEA, a hormone that not only can ward off depression but also has beauty benefits like promoting shiny hair, glowing skin and bright eyes.
Despite the myth that masturbation causes acne, it might actually be a key to clearing it up – all of these benefits can be reaped regardless of whether you have someone to sleep with (although Vitti recommends ditching the vibrator in order to spend more time in the beneficial orgasmic stage, rather than reaching climax too quickly).
“When it comes to pleasure, it doesn’t matter how you enjoy it ― alone or with a partner. Pleasure is pleasure,” O’Reilly says. “Having said that, if sex enhances your connection or feelings of trust, love and intimacy, that might offer a bonus: Happy relationships are associated with better health (mental and physical), which can positively affect your skin.”
But if you are coupled up, you might experience an extra benefit. “[A] study found that frequent sex is positively correlated with low blood pressure and resting heart rate in couples who live together,” O’Reilly says.
Of course, sex can lead to some skin mishaps, like skin irritation from stubble or rubbing skin. “Chafing is always a possibility with repetitive touch, rubbing and grinding,” O’Reilly says, but using lube and changing positions can mitigate a post-sex burn.
Excess sweat can seem like an issue, but Vitti sees it as a positive: “Sweat is SO good for your hormones!” she shared. “So many women are unknowingly oestrogen dominant, which leads to breakouts, so get your sexy sweat on! However, feel free to do a little scrub down in the shower after to further enhance lymphatic drainage and support the oestrogen detox,” Vitti says. Sweat, like movement, also improves blood circulation, and it can even help clear bacteria from skin, thereby curbing acne and skin infections.
So next time you want to give your skin health a boost, put down the moisturiser and head to bed instead – it’s your choice whether anyone joins you.
Another copy of American Gods by @neil-gaiman . Originally in paperback, rebound as a hardcover book in hand dyed red sienna leather with gilded pages edges and gold vinyl decoration depicting Shadow Moon standing beneath the tree Yggdrasil.
Scripting is one of the easiest and yet very effective manifestation techniques. It can work wonders if you know how to do this properly. So without further ado, let’s get down to scripting.
Find a comfortable, quiet place. Your scripting session should last at least 20-30 minutes. The more, the better because you will be able to add more details. You definitely don’t want to be distracted while scripting because you should focus on your internal state. If you’re surrounded by noise, put on your headphones and play relaxing music, like solfeggio frequencies, etc. You can use a special journal, or you can use a piece of paper, it really doesn’t matter. The most important thing is the very act of writing down your thoughts.
Raise your vibration. Before you start scripting, work on your vibration. You don’t have to be extra happy but find that calmness and inner peace. Smile, focus on gratitude, be aware of the fact that you’re about to consciously create your future. When your state of being is elevated, you can start scripting.
Always use the present tense. Not ‘I will’ or ‘I’m going to’, but 'I’m so happy and grateful that I am..’, or 'I have now this wonderful…’, etc. Honestly, I can’t emphasize it enough, it is so important. Also, be as specific as you can. Write down every little detail. See a vivid picture in your mind, and describe it carefully and elaborately. Remember to emphasize every emotion and also describe it. Become this script at a vibrational level; feel like it’s happening right now, and you’re just writing down in your journal how amazing your life is and how happy you are.
Read it out loud. You don’t have to read your script out loud every day. You can do this if you want, it’s pretty much something like one big affirmation of your new life, but I don’t recommend it. Why? Because when you read your script every day, you start wondering why it’s not happening, or when it will happen, etc. And thus, you create resistance and actually postpone your manifestation. On the other hand, when you forget about your script, you are open to every possibility and allow the Universe to work. However, definitely read your script out loud after your scripting session. The words have power, and that’s how you speak your reality into existence.
You can script every day, but once is really enough. You can include multiple things in your script, or you can focus only on one thing. There are no strict rules when it comes to scripting. The most important thing is you being focused on what you are doing, being fully aware of the present moment, and experiencing every emotion, since emotion is energy in motion.
You are a creator. Creators must create. You can’t wait for life to happen to you, you can’t wait for opportunities, you can’t live your life by default. You must be clear, you must identify your needs, you must show the Universe your vision. Your life is going nowhere if you don’t have a goal, if you don’t have the reason to open your eyes every single day, to wake up with joy and excitement.
Think about your ideal life. What kind of person do you want to become? What are your goals? What do you want to achieve? Where do you want to live? What do you want to do? What is your definition of sheer happiness?
You see, you can achieve anything you want, but you have to be specific; you must have a clear vision for your life and then work towards this vision every single day. When you set a strong intention, when you believe that you can achieve it, the entire Universe starts working in your favor.
Start living your life by design. Maybe for the first time in your life ask yourself: what do I really want? And don’t be afraid to dream big, don’t be afraid to create a massive vision. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough. You have to switch from thinking to doing and then to being. Remember, if you don’t build your dreams, someone else will hire you to build theirs. Which option do you prefer?
