Forget going to bed to listen to the radio or finish off your Agatha Christie - you should be getting naughty; sex is good for you and that's official. Here are some reasons why.
- It keeps you fit and keeps the weight off. You could lose half a stone in a year with a three times a week sexytime. Plus the more you do it, the less time you're thinking about food and snacking.
- It makes you feel more confident about yourself and your attractiveness. Getting pleasure from being intimate with your partner, as well as making them happy, does wonders for self-esteem.
- It tones you up inside, making other areas such as the pelvic floor and bladder stronger, and so you're less likely to have health problems there
- It improves your immune system. More of the cells that fight disease are produced during sex, presumably in anticipation of killing off your partner's germs!
- It helps you sleep better, which again is great for a healthy lifestyle. Some of the hormones produced during sex are fatigue inducers, which is good news for insomniacs.
- It can actually fend off a headache. Scientists have found that sex is a good cure for a headache, so that excuse doesn't work any more.
- More orgasms help you live longer. Research suggests three orgasms or more a week can cut your risk of heart attack and for men reduces the risk of prostate cancer.
- It's great for the skin. Regular sex boosts the circulation and so increases blood flow to the skin, giving you a certain glow. As well as this, during sex we release a chemical which help maintain muscle tone, which also improves the look of your skin.
- It's a natural stress reducer. While some people may reach for the cigarettes or a stiff drink at the end of a stressful day, scientists suggest a healthier and proven way to reduce your blood pressure is a romp with your loved one.
- For women, it makes the menopause easier (with a knock on effect for men!). The oestrogen boost women get from sex at least once a week reduces the number of hot flushes, as well as potentially protecting the heart and against osteoporosis.
