How regular sex and masturbation can improve your sleep

Sex is great - most of us know that and a lot of us need more of it. There are a whole bunch of benefits to healthy sex life like an improved immune system, improved self-esteem, decreased depression, and pain relief. But did you know that it can help improve your sleep schedule too?

Sex and sleep go hand in hand and can be a great way to truly wind down at the end of the day...  

How sex helps with sleep 

Have you ever noticed that a few bad nights of sleep can lower your libido by quite a bit? The last thing you're going to want to do when you're tired is to get busy in the sheets but it works both ways. Having a healthy sex life directly makes us happier people. You've also probably noticed that the day after getting some, you've been a much more tolerant and happier person!  

Sexual activity, even without orgasm can help release an array of hormones that improve your overall health and intimate wellness. These are: 

• Oxytocin (the love hormone) 

• Dopamine and endorphins (pleasure hormones) 

• Serotonin (the happy hormone)  

What oxytocin does to your body 

Oxytocin regulates our emotional responses like trust, empathy, positive memories and communication. In short, it gives us a nice warm feeling when we're around the people we care about - making the best after-sex feeling!  

In simpler terms, sex triggers all the positive hormones in your body to make you feel safe and happy. This also lower your body pressure, which in relation, helps you get to sleep quicker.  

How masturbation helps with sleep  

Of course, sex with someone else isn't always a possibility. The good news? Masturbation has the same effect on your sleeping pattern and you will still release all of the same amazing feel-good chemicals mentioned above.  

Sleep and masturbation aren't something we should be scared about adding to our nighttime routine more often. If you do happen to be single and want to make the most out of your new pre-sleep routine, clitoral stimulation from a rabbit sex toy could come in handy. As it's something you can just take out of your drawer, get to work, and then go to sleep (after sanitising it of course). But overall there's no fuss when it comes to sex toys. 

Sleep hygiene and how it correlates to your sex life  

Sleep hygiene is all about putting yourself in the best state to fall asleep and stay asleep every night. You can improve your sleep hygiene in many ways like: 

• Turning off electronics an hour before bed - yes that means your phone! 

• Go to sleep at the same time every day - doing this will help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go  

• Limit your caffeine intake - a study from 2013 showed that caffeine consumed even 7 hours before bedtime can ruin your sleep schedule 

• Invest in useful sleep aids - whether that be a nice candle, a pillow spray or even a weighted blanket. Comfort is the main factor when you're trying to sleep, after all  

Sex and masturbation can play a big part in sleep hygiene, too. Experts say to keep the bedroom for sleep and sex only so who's to argue with science? It won't wake you up as you're already tucked up in bed to have sex (although you should probably pee to reduce the risk of getting a UTI) but you'll find yourself getting to sleep in no time after orgasm!