Having a healthy sex life has many benefits for our immune system. Regular sex lowers our blood pressure, reduces the risk of depression and anxiety, and improves our heart health. Sex can also be connected to the quality of our sleep. A recent study found that one sex position results in better sleep.
Read on to learn more about it.
Sex and Better REM
Sleep consists of several phases, one of which is REM, or rapid eye movement. During this stage, our brain activity increases, and it’s when we do most of our dreaming.
The REM stage is important because it stimulates different parts of our brain in charge of learning and memory. It is believed that the lack of REM sleep leads to chronic sleep deprivation, memory problems, and disorientation.
A study performed by The Dozy Owl explored the connection between the REM stage and having sex. The results show that people who had sex before going to sleep got more REM sleep, regardless of the position. This study lasted three months and involved 1,652 participants who tried 25 sex positions and discovered the best one for getting a good night’s sleep. Researchers used sleep monitors to keep track of the patterns.
The Best Sex Position
The results show that when the participants engaged in the “doggy-style” sex position, 43% of them got more REM sleep. Other positions that contributed to a more prolonged REM stage are “the lotus” (39%), “the eagle” (35%), and “the bridge” (30%).
Reconnect With Your Partner
Besides improving our sleep, regular sexual activity has many emotional benefits. It relieves stress, boosts our self-esteem, and enables us to bond with our partners. Research shows sex can improve our overall happiness thanks to the release of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.