There’s nothing better than coming down after an intense workout at the gym or outdoors, or even in your home exercise space. While many of us intuitively know that exercise in general and cardio in particular is important for good physical health, fewer people know that getting your heart pumping a little faster every now and then is also essential for sexual health. good sleep And a healthy diet are. True story.
Exercise and the Sex You’re Having…or Not Having
According to National Institutes of Health43% of women and 31% of men suffer from some form of sexual dysfunction, with obesity and lack of exercise being common factors. four out of five women who do not exercise report sexual dysfunction compared to women who exercise regularly. At the same time, women who exercise up to six hours per week exhibit reduced sexual distress and resistance in their clitoral arteries, as well as levels of desireexcitation, lubrication and OrgasmAll of this is important because it indicates that exercise can reduce the risk of suffering painful sex and improve overall satisfaction. Another study found that men who exercised at least 90 minutes a week were 20% less likely to develop disease. erectile dysfunction.
What is considered cardio?
Just so there’s no confusion, let’s define cardio, shall we? Also called cardiovascular, aerobic or endurance exercise, cardio is any activity that makes you breathe a little faster and increases your heart rate. So while something like Pilates It’s a fantastic strength-based workout and great for your sex life in its own way, but it can’t be called cardio. Think jumping rope, jumping jacks, burpees, stair climbing, running, cycling, rock climbing, HIIT, rowing, swimming, and more intensive yoga, to name a few.
Hell, sex itself could even be considered one, depending on how hard you go about it, right? While low-intensity activities like walking or dancing count as well, the faster you walk or dance, the better.
Here are just a few of the many ways regular cardio can benefit your sex life:
– We get excited more easily.
Research shows that exercise has an immediate positive effect effect on your libido. Just 20 minutes of cardio can effectively prepare your body for sex. Blood flow to the genitals can increase by up to 150% immediately after exercise, which favorably affects your levels of desire, arousal, lubrication, and even your attraction to your partner. People with penises often find that it helps them get and maintain an erection. You can expect your libido to peak about 15 to 30 minutes after an intense workout.
– Your happy hormones are multiplying.
Chances are you’ve heard the term “top runner”, which refers to the link between cardio and your body’s release of endorphins. Endorphins are hormones Cardio is produced in your brain to help relieve pain, reduce stress, relax you, and improve your mood. Cardio can also increase other “happy hormones,” like dopamine and serotonin. Tip: Since sunlight can help maximize your serotonin boost, consider moving your workout outside. Additionally, try to do at least 30 minutes of cardio at a time. While any duration has its benefits, high-intensity workouts provide a bigger “high.”
– Your self-confidence grows.
Exercise has positive effects body image, moodflexibility and energy levels, all of which play a big role in sexual well-being. It’s only natural that once you establish a regular cardio routine, you’ll start to feel fitter, leaner, and more attractive. This, in turn, improves your self-esteem. And, since nothing is sexier than confidence, your partner is likely to respond positively, too. While a positive and fulfilling sex life has nothing to do with BMI, when you feel more confident about your body during sex, it’s easier to focus on pleasure rather than getting distracted by how your body looks or what your partner may or may not think. In the end, it’s all about how You feel in your body.
– Your stamina increases.
When you do regular cardio workout, you tend to develop more endurance, or let’s say more sexual endurance. This is quite important, considering that Mayo Clinic compares a session of sexual intercourse to climbing 2 or 3 flights of stairs, and National Institutes of Health According to one study, half an hour of sex can burn 100 to 125 calories, which is the equivalent of walking at 5 km/h. No matter what type of cardio you choose, it will improve your cardiovascular health and build your endurance so you can enjoy your enhanced libido for longer periods of time without getting exhausted.
– You become less stressed and less depressed.
Being stressed or depressed can kill your libidoAntidepressants are also known to negatively affecting your libidoLuckily, exercise is fantastic for combating stress, anxietyand depression, which means it can boost your motivation and more. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, some people may even find that regular cardio can help reduce or eliminate their dose of antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. If so, great!
How to Make Cardio a Good Friend in Your Sex Life
Now that you’ve got cardio down, here are some basic tips to help ensure your sex life benefits as much as possible:
– Take a few minutes to warm up before each session and cool down afterwards as well.
– Allow yourself time to recover between training sessions.
– Adopt a healthy and balanced diet.
– Get enough sleep.
– Create a weekly cardio routine based on realistic goals.
– Start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and frequency of your workouts.
You can do it! <3