The sexologist said getting frisky before hitting the pillow can improve our quality of sleep over time
An expert sexologist has revealed the reason why we have a better night’s kip after having sex.
It’s time to put the ‘Sleepmaxxing’ trend to bed, as according to sexual health experts, there’s a better way to grab a good night’s sleep which doesn’t involve mouth tape, red light therapy or an excessive consumption of kiwis.
If you’ve ever fallen asleep almost immediately after your head hits the pillow after getting frisky under the sheets, and woke up the next morning from one of the best night’s slumber you’ve ever had, there’s actually a scientific explanation.
According to Swedish sexologist and relationship therapist, Sofie Roos, there is a strong correlation between sex and some good-quality shut eye – which makes for a compelling argument to give intimacy a whirl, whether alone or with a sexual partner, whenever you need a decent snooze.
However, to snatch a successful siesta, the sexologist said you have to make sure you climax first.
The expert says sex can help us fall asleep – and get a better quality sleep too (Getty Images)
Roos explained to the Daily Mail that this is because oxytocin is released into the bloodstream when we orgasm.
The so-called ‘love hormone’ makes us feel in love and, most importantly sleep-wise, calm and safe, ‘which has a positive impact on our sleep,’ she said.
And while you can gain an oxytocin boost just through sharing an intimate moment with your loved one, you’re going to need to aim for an orgasm if you want the full effects – and the added benefits of a good sleep afterwards.
This is because a release of oxytocin also prepares the brain for sleep, which Roos said has been researched and proved through several studies over the years.
Without an orgasm, it’s unlikely you’ll feel as relaxed or ready to catch forty winks, and you could end up feeling worse, sexually frustrated, which can have the reverse effect and make it harder to fall asleep.
“The mental part of sexual frustration can lead to issues with falling to sleep,” Roos continued, “Mainly since the thoughts get intense and can be difficult to shut out, so you end up laying there in your bed sexually fantasizing for long instead of calming down.”
We’ll more likely wake up feeling well rested (Getty Images)
But intercourse doesn’t just help us fall asleep – it can even improve the quality of sleep we gain throughout the night, too.
Roos said: “Sex can indirectly give us greater sleep quality since it makes us deal with stress in a better way, and if being less stressed, we get a less restless sleep.”
Doing the deed frequently enough will even help your sleep dramatically improve overall.
“We mainly get the positive effects from sex and masturbation on our sleep if we engage in it regularly since it’s when we’re having an active sex life we get less stressed and better sleep quality,” Roos continued.
“If having regular sex, or masturbating often, the levels of cortisol does also decrease, a stress hormone that can disturb the sleep quality.”
The pro said it’s just like keeping an active lifestyle to improve our health and fitness.
She added: “So it’s just as with exercising – we don’t get the positive effects from doing it just occasionally, but it needs to be something that happens often.”
