Spring Break
Sex and the UniverCity: Exercise, Active Lifestyle Make For A Better Sex Life
Emily Neumann
Issue date: 6/9/08 Section: Focus
Exercise and eating healthy foods are great for getting that bathing suit bod - but did you know they can also improve your sex life?
The separation from school, friends, lovers and the freedom of living away from home can make for a very rough transition from spring to summer. I casually shared my gloomy outlook on this three-month "vacation" with my doctor at a routine physical, to which she responded, "You know, exercise can make you feel a lot better."
Yes. I know. Exercise can help solve a lot of problems, especially those caused by eating way too much macaroni and cheese due to the stress of finals. But guess what? I hate exercising!
But as I started to research strategies that might encourage me to enjoy the occasional work out, I came across some more mature reasons to get your body in shape.
According to a feature on WebMD.com, being in shape makes you more confident, and having more confidence leads to better sex. In the article, psychologist Karen Zager said, "If you feel good about yourself, you are in a better position to feel good about relationships, including your sex life."
In the article, Mark Kantor, professor of nutrition and food science, agrees.
"You will feel sexy if you look and feel good," said Kantor.
Physical activity gives you more energy and wakes you up, even if it exhausts you temporarily. Yes, your muscles are tired, but it releases epinephrine (commonly known as adrenaline) into your system, according to howstuffworks.com. Epinephrine essentially throws their body into what's called the fight-or-flight-response. Basically, your body speeds up, your muscles become more tense and you become incredibly alert, according to the Web site.
The fight-or-flight response works both ways, and sometimes the adrenaline rush results in fear. Unfortunately, intense exercise (and sex) can sometimes trigger severe anxiety and even panic attacks in some people.
If too much vigorous activity tends to stress you out, or if the idea of heading to the gym is too intimidating, start out slow. For me, walking around the block was a great way to get into the habit of actually getting off my butt and doing something. Get a friend to motivate you. Going to the gym with one of my co-workers is now a very enjoyable activity.
The separation from school, friends, lovers and the freedom of living away from home can make for a very rough transition from spring to summer. I casually shared my gloomy outlook on this three-month "vacation" with my doctor at a routine physical, to which she responded, "You know, exercise can make you feel a lot better."
Yes. I know. Exercise can help solve a lot of problems, especially those caused by eating way too much macaroni and cheese due to the stress of finals. But guess what? I hate exercising!
But as I started to research strategies that might encourage me to enjoy the occasional work out, I came across some more mature reasons to get your body in shape.
According to a feature on WebMD.com, being in shape makes you more confident, and having more confidence leads to better sex. In the article, psychologist Karen Zager said, "If you feel good about yourself, you are in a better position to feel good about relationships, including your sex life."
In the article, Mark Kantor, professor of nutrition and food science, agrees.
"You will feel sexy if you look and feel good," said Kantor.
Physical activity gives you more energy and wakes you up, even if it exhausts you temporarily. Yes, your muscles are tired, but it releases epinephrine (commonly known as adrenaline) into your system, according to howstuffworks.com. Epinephrine essentially throws their body into what's called the fight-or-flight-response. Basically, your body speeds up, your muscles become more tense and you become incredibly alert, according to the Web site.
The fight-or-flight response works both ways, and sometimes the adrenaline rush results in fear. Unfortunately, intense exercise (and sex) can sometimes trigger severe anxiety and even panic attacks in some people.
If too much vigorous activity tends to stress you out, or if the idea of heading to the gym is too intimidating, start out slow. For me, walking around the block was a great way to get into the habit of actually getting off my butt and doing something. Get a friend to motivate you. Going to the gym with one of my co-workers is now a very enjoyable activity.
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