How Does Sex Relieve Stress and Anxiety?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Sex Relieves Stress and AnxietyHow Stress Can Affect Sex6 Health Benefits of SexHow to Get More Sexual Stress Relief

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How Sex Relieves Stress and Anxiety

How Stress Can Affect Sex

6 Health Benefits of Sex

How to Get More Sexual Stress Relief

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Stress and sex are linked in several ways. Most of us instinctively know this and feel it unmistakably when a particularly stressful week or twozaps our sex drive—or when we successfully use sex to relieve stress. And scientific evidence supports these instincts.

Sex not only boosts your hormones and other brain chemicals—but it also reduces levels of stress hormones. It’s also important to note that sex with a partner isn’t your only option. In many cases,solo sexcan relieve stress and have other health benefits too.

At a GlanceSexual stress relief, whether alone or with a partner, can help lower feelings of stress and anxiety. Sex triggers the release of dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, which help promote relaxation and well-being and reduce the stress hormone cortisol. This can play a part in boosting mood, improving brain function, improving sleep, and strengthening your relationship, among other things.

At a Glance

Sexual stress relief, whether alone or with a partner, can help lower feelings of stress and anxiety. Sex triggers the release of dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, which help promote relaxation and well-being and reduce the stress hormone cortisol. This can play a part in boosting mood, improving brain function, improving sleep, and strengthening your relationship, among other things.

Sexual activity and orgasm canrelax your bodyand release many hormones that are supportive of overall health and wellness. Similarly, sex canboost dopamine,a neurotransmitter sometimes called the “feel-good chemical” because it reinforces feelings of pleasure.

Increased Oxytocin

Oxytocinis known as the “love hormone” because it is released during physical touch, as in affectionate touching and sex between adult partners, as well as during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding.

The physical closeness of sex, along with orgasm, delivers oxytocin. This hormone can relieve pain.among other positive effects—including stress relief and improved trust and mood.

Increased Endorphins

Endorphins areneurotransmitters, not hormones, but they are also released during sexual activity (as well as other physical activity, such as running, and in response to pain). Like oxytocin, they can relieve stress and improve mood.

Reduced Cortisol

Just as it can boost hormones with positive effects, sex seems to decrease levels ofadrenalineandcortisol, known as “stress hormones.“The body produces these stimulating hormones in response to stress, and elevated levels can lead to a “fight or flight” response.

While this can be necessary and helpful in a temporary emergency situation, having too much cortisol all the time is not healthy for your brain or body.

These findings suggest that having sex can lead to less of astress responseduring challenging situations, which is a good thing.

How Often Should You Have Sex?How often do you need to have sexto reap these health rewards? Weekly? Daily? The right frequency of sex varies for each person, but once a week is often cited as the ideal.

How Often Should You Have Sex?

How often do you need to have sexto reap these health rewards? Weekly? Daily? The right frequency of sex varies for each person, but once a week is often cited as the ideal.

While sexual stress relief is important, having high-stress levels can also interfere with your sex life.

When people feel stressed, they may be less in the mood for sexual activity. Stress can also lead to problems such as erectile dysfunction and pain during sex.

Stress that emerges from daily life, such as being busy with work, parenting, and other obligations, also makes it much harder for people to find the time and energy for sex.

One study found that stress during the COVID-19 pandemic was linked to less partnered sex and greater sexual dysfunction. (Perhaps not surprisingly, given social distancing measures, the frequency of solo sex activity increased during the pandemic.)

So while sex can help reduce stress, it’s also essential to find ways to manage your stress levels to improve your sex life.

In addition to flooding your body with hormones that can help you feel less worried, anxious, and stressed, sex also has a number of other important health benefits. Some other stress management components of sex include:

Sex As a Mood Booster

Sex can serve as a positive distraction, taking your mind off stressful thoughts. This, in turn, can improve mood both in the moment and beyond.

For example, a study of married couples found that having sex was associated with a positive mood at work the following day. However, it also showed that work-family strain and conflict reduced the likelihood of sex.

If you are experiencing frequent work-life conflict, it may be worth thinking about what you can do to improve yourwork-life balance(and find time to maintain ahealthy sex life).

Because sex can boost mood, you might wonder if it might also help combat symptoms of depression. The relationship between sex and depression is complex, since depression symptoms and treatments can both play a part in decreasinglibido.

While more research is needed, a 2021 study did find that people who had an active sex life during the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly lower scores on measures of anxiety and depression.

Sex for Better Brain Function

In addition to helping your body and mood, sex may also help keep your mind sharp. Research has found that adults aged 50 and over who had sex more frequently had better performance on memory tests.

Because sex plays a role in reducing stress, this can also have a beneficial impact on brain processes. One study found that sex helped improve memory in adults between the ages of 50 and 89.

Sex for a Stronger Relationship

Sex also strengthens feelings ofintimacy with a partner, which can reduce stress and improve overall mood.This can not only improve your individual well-being, but it can also help support a stronger, more intimate relationship.

People who have asupportive social outlet, including a strong intimate partnership, tend to manage stress better, live longer, and enjoy increased overall health.

How Important Is Sex in a Relationship?

Sex As a Workout

Depending on your level of enthusiasm, you can burn a lot of calories during sex, and gain thestress management benefits of exerciseas well. Research into the energy expenditure of sexual activity suggests it is moderate in intensity and burns about 150 to 200 calories per hour.That’s comparable to walking, swimming laps, and downhill skiing,

Sex for Better Sleep

Research shows that sexual activity promotes better sleep—specifically, having sex may help you fall asleep faster, and the quality of your sleep may be better too. Once again, hormones may play a role. Increased oxytocin and prolactin (which can surge after orgasm) and decreased cortisol are all associated with both sexual activity and improved sleep.

Thesleep-promoting benefitsof sex are another way that sexual activity contributes to stress relief.Chronic stresscaninterfere with sleep, and sex can help counteract those effects.

Sex for Cardiovascular Health

Another benefit of sex is that it may help improve your heart health. Research has found that men who have sex twice a week have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Is it safe to have sex if you have heart concerns? According to the American Heart Association, as long as you are safe to exercise without heart problems in the range of three to five metabolic equivalents (METs), then you should be safe to have sex.METs are a measurement used to estimate the energy expenditure required for an activity.

If you have existing cardiovascular problems, always talk to your doctor first before engaging in sexual activity or strenuous physical activity.

If you think your stress levels might benefit from more sex, there are some things you can do to add more intimacy to your life.

Make Time for Sex

It’s easy to get so busy with your daily life that you’re too tired to spend quality time with your partner. It can help to find ways to manage your daily stress and spend more time together both in and out of the bedroom.

Learn More About What Your Partner Likes

Everyone has different interests and needs in the bedroom. Take the time to understand what your partner wants, including their desires, dislikes, and fantasies.

Take Care of Your Health

Your physical and emotional health is also important when it comes to having a healthy sex life.Staying physically active and eating a balanced diet can help boost your mood, body image, self-esteem, and energy levels.

What This Means For YouIt’s likely not a surprise to you that sex feels good and that pleasurable activity can help reduce stress. But knowing more specifically how and why sex can relieve stress may give you a few more reasons to have sex, since it offers so many benefits.If stress is interfering with yourrelationship with your partneror your ability to have or enjoy sex, it’s important to work to manage that stress. That could mean individual or couples' therapy, where you can learn healthy ways to cope with stress and conflict and strengthen your bond.

What This Means For You

It’s likely not a surprise to you that sex feels good and that pleasurable activity can help reduce stress. But knowing more specifically how and why sex can relieve stress may give you a few more reasons to have sex, since it offers so many benefits.If stress is interfering with yourrelationship with your partneror your ability to have or enjoy sex, it’s important to work to manage that stress. That could mean individual or couples' therapy, where you can learn healthy ways to cope with stress and conflict and strengthen your bond.

It’s likely not a surprise to you that sex feels good and that pleasurable activity can help reduce stress. But knowing more specifically how and why sex can relieve stress may give you a few more reasons to have sex, since it offers so many benefits.

If stress is interfering with yourrelationship with your partneror your ability to have or enjoy sex, it’s important to work to manage that stress. That could mean individual or couples' therapy, where you can learn healthy ways to cope with stress and conflict and strengthen your bond.

Angry Sex: Is It Healthy?

18 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Safron A.What is orgasm? A model of sexual trance and climax via rhythmic entrainment.Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol.2016;6(1):31763. doi:10.3402/snp.v6.31763Olff M, Frijling JL, Kubzansky LD, et al.The role of oxytocin in social bonding, stress regulation and mental health: An update on the moderating effects of context and interindividual differences.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2013;38(9):1883-1894. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.06.019Liu H, Waite LJ, Shen S, Wang DH.Is sex good for your health? A national study on partnered sexuality and cardiovascular risk among older men and women.J Health Soc Behav. 2016;57(3):276-296. doi:10.1177/0022146516661597Sumioka H, Nakae A, Kanai R, Ishiguro H.Huggable communication medium decreases cortisol levels.Sci Rep.2013;3:3034. doi:10.1038/srep03034Muise A, Schimmack U, Impett EA.Sexual frequency predicts greater well-being, but more is not always better.Soc Psychol Pers Sci. 2015;7(4):295-302. doi:10.1177/1948550615616462Leavitt K, Barnes CM, Watkins T, Wagner DT.From the bedroom to the office: workplace spillover effects of sexual activity at home.J Manage. 2019;45(3):1173-1192. doi:10.1177/0149206317698022Masoudi M, Maasoumi R, Bragazzi NL.Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual functioning and activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):189. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12390-4Mollaioli D, Sansone A, Ciocca G, et al.Benefits of sexual activity on psychological, relational, and sexual health during the COVID-19 breakout.J Sex Med. 2021;18(1):35-49. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.008Allen S.Sexual activity and cognitive decline in older adults.Arch Sex Behav. 2018. 47(6):1711-1719. doi:10.1007/s10508-018-1193-8Wright H, Jenks RA.Sex on the brain! Associations between sexual activity and cognitive function in older age.Age Ageing. 2016;45(2):313-317. doi:10.1093/ageing/afv197Tsai M, Hardebeck E, Ramos FP, et al.Helping couples connect during the Covid‐19 pandemic: A pilot randomised controlled trial of an Awareness, Courage, and Love intervention.Appl Psychol Health Well‐Being.2020;12(4):1140-1156. doi:10.1111/aphw.12241Frappier J, Toupin I, Levy JJ, Aubertin-Leheudre M, Karelis AD.Energy expenditure during sexual activity in young healthy couples. Earnest CP, ed.PLoS ONE. 2013;8(10):e79342. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0079342Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Herrmann SD, et al.2011 Compendium of Physical Activities: A second update of codes and MET values.Med Sci Sports Exerc.2011;43(8):1575-81. doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e31821ece12Sprajcer M, O’Mullan C, Reynolds A, Paterson JL, Bachmann A, Lastella M.Sleeping together: Understanding the association between relationship type, sexual activity, and sleep.Sleep Sci.2022;15:80-88. doi:10.5935/1984-0063.20220005Hall SA, Shackelton R, Rosen RC, Araujo AB.Sexual activity, erectile dysfunction, and incident cardiovascular events.Am J Cardiol. 2010;105(2):192-197. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2009.08.671American Heart Association.AHA scientific statement: Sexual activity and cardiovascular disease.Kardan-Souraki M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Asadpour I, Mohammadpour RA, Khani S.A review of marital intimacy-enhancing interventions among married individuals.Glob J Health Sci. 2016;8(8):53109. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n8p74Finley N.Lifestyle choices can augment female sexual well-being.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018;12(1):38-41. doi:10.1177/1559827617740823

18 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Safron A.What is orgasm? A model of sexual trance and climax via rhythmic entrainment.Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol.2016;6(1):31763. doi:10.3402/snp.v6.31763Olff M, Frijling JL, Kubzansky LD, et al.The role of oxytocin in social bonding, stress regulation and mental health: An update on the moderating effects of context and interindividual differences.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2013;38(9):1883-1894. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.06.019Liu H, Waite LJ, Shen S, Wang DH.Is sex good for your health? A national study on partnered sexuality and cardiovascular risk among older men and women.J Health Soc Behav. 2016;57(3):276-296. doi:10.1177/0022146516661597Sumioka H, Nakae A, Kanai R, Ishiguro H.Huggable communication medium decreases cortisol levels.Sci Rep.2013;3:3034. doi:10.1038/srep03034Muise A, Schimmack U, Impett EA.Sexual frequency predicts greater well-being, but more is not always better.Soc Psychol Pers Sci. 2015;7(4):295-302. doi:10.1177/1948550615616462Leavitt K, Barnes CM, Watkins T, Wagner DT.From the bedroom to the office: workplace spillover effects of sexual activity at home.J Manage. 2019;45(3):1173-1192. doi:10.1177/0149206317698022Masoudi M, Maasoumi R, Bragazzi NL.Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual functioning and activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):189. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12390-4Mollaioli D, Sansone A, Ciocca G, et al.Benefits of sexual activity on psychological, relational, and sexual health during the COVID-19 breakout.J Sex Med. 2021;18(1):35-49. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.008Allen S.Sexual activity and cognitive decline in older adults.Arch Sex Behav. 2018. 47(6):1711-1719. doi:10.1007/s10508-018-1193-8Wright H, Jenks RA.Sex on the brain! Associations between sexual activity and cognitive function in older age.Age Ageing. 2016;45(2):313-317. doi:10.1093/ageing/afv197Tsai M, Hardebeck E, Ramos FP, et al.Helping couples connect during the Covid‐19 pandemic: A pilot randomised controlled trial of an Awareness, Courage, and Love intervention.Appl Psychol Health Well‐Being.2020;12(4):1140-1156. doi:10.1111/aphw.12241Frappier J, Toupin I, Levy JJ, Aubertin-Leheudre M, Karelis AD.Energy expenditure during sexual activity in young healthy couples. Earnest CP, ed.PLoS ONE. 2013;8(10):e79342. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0079342Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Herrmann SD, et al.2011 Compendium of Physical Activities: A second update of codes and MET values.Med Sci Sports Exerc.2011;43(8):1575-81. doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e31821ece12Sprajcer M, O’Mullan C, Reynolds A, Paterson JL, Bachmann A, Lastella M.Sleeping together: Understanding the association between relationship type, sexual activity, and sleep.Sleep Sci.2022;15:80-88. doi:10.5935/1984-0063.20220005Hall SA, Shackelton R, Rosen RC, Araujo AB.Sexual activity, erectile dysfunction, and incident cardiovascular events.Am J Cardiol. 2010;105(2):192-197. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2009.08.671American Heart Association.AHA scientific statement: Sexual activity and cardiovascular disease.Kardan-Souraki M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Asadpour I, Mohammadpour RA, Khani S.A review of marital intimacy-enhancing interventions among married individuals.Glob J Health Sci. 2016;8(8):53109. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n8p74Finley N.Lifestyle choices can augment female sexual well-being.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018;12(1):38-41. doi:10.1177/1559827617740823

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Safron A.What is orgasm? A model of sexual trance and climax via rhythmic entrainment.Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol.2016;6(1):31763. doi:10.3402/snp.v6.31763Olff M, Frijling JL, Kubzansky LD, et al.The role of oxytocin in social bonding, stress regulation and mental health: An update on the moderating effects of context and interindividual differences.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2013;38(9):1883-1894. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.06.019Liu H, Waite LJ, Shen S, Wang DH.Is sex good for your health? A national study on partnered sexuality and cardiovascular risk among older men and women.J Health Soc Behav. 2016;57(3):276-296. doi:10.1177/0022146516661597Sumioka H, Nakae A, Kanai R, Ishiguro H.Huggable communication medium decreases cortisol levels.Sci Rep.2013;3:3034. doi:10.1038/srep03034Muise A, Schimmack U, Impett EA.Sexual frequency predicts greater well-being, but more is not always better.Soc Psychol Pers Sci. 2015;7(4):295-302. doi:10.1177/1948550615616462Leavitt K, Barnes CM, Watkins T, Wagner DT.From the bedroom to the office: workplace spillover effects of sexual activity at home.J Manage. 2019;45(3):1173-1192. doi:10.1177/0149206317698022Masoudi M, Maasoumi R, Bragazzi NL.Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual functioning and activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):189. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12390-4Mollaioli D, Sansone A, Ciocca G, et al.Benefits of sexual activity on psychological, relational, and sexual health during the COVID-19 breakout.J Sex Med. 2021;18(1):35-49. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.008Allen S.Sexual activity and cognitive decline in older adults.Arch Sex Behav. 2018. 47(6):1711-1719. doi:10.1007/s10508-018-1193-8Wright H, Jenks RA.Sex on the brain! Associations between sexual activity and cognitive function in older age.Age Ageing. 2016;45(2):313-317. doi:10.1093/ageing/afv197Tsai M, Hardebeck E, Ramos FP, et al.Helping couples connect during the Covid‐19 pandemic: A pilot randomised controlled trial of an Awareness, Courage, and Love intervention.Appl Psychol Health Well‐Being.2020;12(4):1140-1156. doi:10.1111/aphw.12241Frappier J, Toupin I, Levy JJ, Aubertin-Leheudre M, Karelis AD.Energy expenditure during sexual activity in young healthy couples. Earnest CP, ed.PLoS ONE. 2013;8(10):e79342. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0079342Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Herrmann SD, et al.2011 Compendium of Physical Activities: A second update of codes and MET values.Med Sci Sports Exerc.2011;43(8):1575-81. doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e31821ece12Sprajcer M, O’Mullan C, Reynolds A, Paterson JL, Bachmann A, Lastella M.Sleeping together: Understanding the association between relationship type, sexual activity, and sleep.Sleep Sci.2022;15:80-88. doi:10.5935/1984-0063.20220005Hall SA, Shackelton R, Rosen RC, Araujo AB.Sexual activity, erectile dysfunction, and incident cardiovascular events.Am J Cardiol. 2010;105(2):192-197. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2009.08.671American Heart Association.AHA scientific statement: Sexual activity and cardiovascular disease.Kardan-Souraki M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Asadpour I, Mohammadpour RA, Khani S.A review of marital intimacy-enhancing interventions among married individuals.Glob J Health Sci. 2016;8(8):53109. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n8p74Finley N.Lifestyle choices can augment female sexual well-being.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018;12(1):38-41. doi:10.1177/1559827617740823

Safron A.What is orgasm? A model of sexual trance and climax via rhythmic entrainment.Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol.2016;6(1):31763. doi:10.3402/snp.v6.31763

Olff M, Frijling JL, Kubzansky LD, et al.The role of oxytocin in social bonding, stress regulation and mental health: An update on the moderating effects of context and interindividual differences.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2013;38(9):1883-1894. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.06.019

Liu H, Waite LJ, Shen S, Wang DH.Is sex good for your health? A national study on partnered sexuality and cardiovascular risk among older men and women.J Health Soc Behav. 2016;57(3):276-296. doi:10.1177/0022146516661597

Sumioka H, Nakae A, Kanai R, Ishiguro H.Huggable communication medium decreases cortisol levels.Sci Rep.2013;3:3034. doi:10.1038/srep03034

Muise A, Schimmack U, Impett EA.Sexual frequency predicts greater well-being, but more is not always better.Soc Psychol Pers Sci. 2015;7(4):295-302. doi:10.1177/1948550615616462

Leavitt K, Barnes CM, Watkins T, Wagner DT.From the bedroom to the office: workplace spillover effects of sexual activity at home.J Manage. 2019;45(3):1173-1192. doi:10.1177/0149206317698022

Masoudi M, Maasoumi R, Bragazzi NL.Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual functioning and activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):189. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12390-4

Mollaioli D, Sansone A, Ciocca G, et al.Benefits of sexual activity on psychological, relational, and sexual health during the COVID-19 breakout.J Sex Med. 2021;18(1):35-49. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.008

Allen S.Sexual activity and cognitive decline in older adults.Arch Sex Behav. 2018. 47(6):1711-1719. doi:10.1007/s10508-018-1193-8

Wright H, Jenks RA.Sex on the brain! Associations between sexual activity and cognitive function in older age.Age Ageing. 2016;45(2):313-317. doi:10.1093/ageing/afv197

Tsai M, Hardebeck E, Ramos FP, et al.Helping couples connect during the Covid‐19 pandemic: A pilot randomised controlled trial of an Awareness, Courage, and Love intervention.Appl Psychol Health Well‐Being.2020;12(4):1140-1156. doi:10.1111/aphw.12241

Frappier J, Toupin I, Levy JJ, Aubertin-Leheudre M, Karelis AD.Energy expenditure during sexual activity in young healthy couples. Earnest CP, ed.PLoS ONE. 2013;8(10):e79342. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0079342

Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Herrmann SD, et al.2011 Compendium of Physical Activities: A second update of codes and MET values.Med Sci Sports Exerc.2011;43(8):1575-81. doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e31821ece12

Sprajcer M, O’Mullan C, Reynolds A, Paterson JL, Bachmann A, Lastella M.Sleeping together: Understanding the association between relationship type, sexual activity, and sleep.Sleep Sci.2022;15:80-88. doi:10.5935/1984-0063.20220005

Hall SA, Shackelton R, Rosen RC, Araujo AB.Sexual activity, erectile dysfunction, and incident cardiovascular events.Am J Cardiol. 2010;105(2):192-197. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2009.08.671

American Heart Association.AHA scientific statement: Sexual activity and cardiovascular disease.

Kardan-Souraki M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Asadpour I, Mohammadpour RA, Khani S.A review of marital intimacy-enhancing interventions among married individuals.Glob J Health Sci. 2016;8(8):53109. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n8p74

Finley N.Lifestyle choices can augment female sexual well-being.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018;12(1):38-41. doi:10.1177/1559827617740823

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