While most of us generally recognize that extremely uptight and stressed-out people could benefit from a nice roll in the hay, sex isn’t always included as a top stress management technique. With all the physical and emotional benefits it provides, it should be! Learn the stress management benefits of a healthy sex life, plus find tips on how to get your groove back if stress has put a damper on your libido.

In addition to effectively taking your mind off of your worries for a decent period of time, sex provides some of these other stress management benefits:

• Deep Breathing: This deep, relaxed type of breathing relaxes your body, oxygenates your blood and reduces the stress you feel.

• Sense of Touch: Studies show that massage can be a great stress reliever.

  In fact, we need touch for our emotional health; studies also show that babies who are not touched enough can fail to thrive, and touch continues to be important into adulthood.

• Social Support: People who have a supportive social outlet tend to manage stress better, live longer, and enjoy increased overall health. The type of emotional intimacy that sex can help supply is good for you!

• Endorphins: Sexual activity releases endorphins and other feel-good hormones.

• Physical Workout: Depending on your level of enthusiasm, you can burn a lot of calories during sex, and gain the stress management benefits of exercise as well.

Unfortunately, many people find that, when they’re under stress, their sex drive suffers. In fact, a recent study showed that more than half the partners of people working over 48 hours a week reported that it was damaging their sex life. Fortunately, the same factors that can decrease the level of stress you feel can rev up your libido at the same time. Try the following:

• Soothing Music: Music therapy has been shown to provide real health benefits like lower blood pressure and increased immune functioning in addition to reducing stress and getting you ‘in the mood’.

• Aromatherapy: Pleasing scents have been proven to soothe stress, and can also foster romance in a room. You can use candles, sprays, or burn scented oil in a diffuser.

• Soothing Lighting: The same flattering lighting that provides a soothing atmosphere can reduce stress and help create a nice mood in the room. I recommend using scented candles; you get romantic candle lighting combined with aromatherapy.

• Good Food: Delicious and healthy food can reduce stress by stabilizing blood sugar levels and supporting good health. And we all know that a nice dinner is the cornerstone of a good date.

• Good Conversation: As previously mentioned, social support is an important part of a healthy life, and emotional intimacy is an important part of a good sex life. The kind of intimate, supportive conversation experienced in a great date or a healthy relationship can also help you feel connected and reduce stress.

• Massage: A nice massage can sometimes be all that’s needed to take a stressed-out person who’s not feeling too sexy, and get them in the mood for a great encounter!

• Being ‘In The Now’: Putting the troubles of the day to rest and being in the here and now is the cornerstone of meditation, a fabulous stress management technique, and is also a key ingredient that takes routine sex to a sublime level. If you practice meditation, you’ll find it easier to be in the here and now when you need to. However, even without training, you can help yourself feel less stressed and more present simply by focusing more heavily on the physical sensations you’re experiencing right now. Savor the taste of your dinner, the sound of the music in the background, the sight of the person you’re with. Soon, your troubles will feel more distant, and you’ll be in a better place emotionally.

- Article by Wale Bello