Boost Intimacy and Trust With These Healthy Sex Habits
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Developing healthy sex habits is one of the best ways to establish a high level of trust and intimacy with your partner. However, before you can begin having a fulfilling physical relationship with someone else, emotional intimacy, communication, and safe practices are vital to having a good relationship with yourself and others.
What is a Perfect Sex Life?
There is no such thing as the ‘perfect’ sex life. However, individuals can often achieve a better sex life by having honest communication with their partners, talking about what they like and do not like during sex, maintaining a high level of sexual and personal hygiene, and focusing on emotional intimacy before physical intimacy.
Is Daily Sex Good For Health?
Having daily sex can be healthy as long as the individual uses safe sex practices and adheres to any current health guidelines. Daily sex has numerous potential benefits, including the following:
Improved heart health and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease
Higher immune system to fight off common colds and airborne illnesses
Pain relief for chronic illness or short-term injuries
Improved sleep and higher levels of dopamine
Higher libido levels and sex drive
Improved self-esteem, coupled with lower levels of depression and anxiety
Having daily sex, or at least regular sex, is beneficial for both mental and physical health. However, for those who find they are having too much sex, understanding when to do it and how to control it is key to avoiding an unhealthy obsession. This understanding can bring a sense of relief, reassurance, and a feeling of being in control, ensuring a healthy and balanced sex life.
What Are Healthy Sex Habits to Have?
Communication
Having open and honest communication with partners is essential to being on the same page, understanding what one another likes, and knowing past sexual histories. Knowing if the person has any sexually transmitted diseases to know about or any concerns about sex can help an individual figure out the best way to have safe and fun sexual intercourse.
The best tips for effective sexual communication include starting early — make sure you talk with your partner early on in the relationship or before having sex with a new person so you can establish boundaries and figure out what they are looking for.
Next, be open and honest about your preferences, sexual history, concerns, medical conditions, or desires. Make sure you are specific about what you need and what you like. Furthermore, always be respectful of your partner's wishes. If they do not want you to do something, make sure you listen and understand their requests.
Lastly, be compassionate towards your partner if they are having difficulty performing or feeling too much pressure. Help them relax and try to build their confidence.
Consent
Consent is arguably the most important aspect of having sex with another person. ‘Consent’ is a clear and voluntary agreement between all parties to engage in sexual activity. Consent is either given verbally or nonverbally, so ensuring you understand cues and are on the same page with your partner is essential.
It is important to know that consent can be withdrawn at any time. If a person no longer wants to have sex, they changed their mind, or they are not in a state to have sex (i.e., asleep, unconscious, intoxicated, underage, etc.), then continuing with sex is not ethical or legal.
The best way to ensure and give clear consent is to give a verbal ‘yes’ and show that the act is clearly wanted at that specific time.
Respect and Boundaries
Understanding and respecting personal and partner boundaries during sex is not just essential; it's empowering. It's a key to having a fun and safe time, and it puts you in control of your sexual experiences. Obtaining consent, making sure your partner is comfortable and relaxed, establishing trust between all parties, and prioritizing safety before having sex are all essential ways to respect other people’s boundaries and expectations.
You can discuss and set boundaries before having sex by communicating beforehand, describing what you are comfortable with and what you might like to try. Respect your partner’s feelings and thoughts on what they might also like. Then, check in with your partner(s) during sex to ensure everyone is still feeling comfortable with the decisions being made.
Physical Health Considerations For a Safe Sex Life
Regular STD/STI Testing
There is a huge importance of regular testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Frequent testing can lead to early treatment options, avoiding spreading the infection and mitigating potential long-term problems that can lead to health concerns. By taking responsibility for your sexual health and being proactive about regular testing, you can ensure a safe and healthy sex life.
Women should also undergo regular gynecological check-ups, including pap smears and pelvic exams, to ensure their reproductive health is in good condition. These check-ups can detect any potential issues early, allowing for timely treatment and prevention of complications.
Safe Sex Practices
The use of condoms and other barrier methods are essential safe sex practices. Make sure you also use water-based lubricants, avoid douching after intercourse, get regular checkups for STIs, avoid contact with open cuts or sores, use only clean sex toys, and avoid having sex with anyone who is sick.
For those who need birth control, there are numerous options. You can choose between hormonal birth control, hormonal implant, intrauterine device, barrier method (i.e., condoms, diaphragms, sponges, cervical caps, etc.), or abstinence.
Hygiene
Maintaining a high level of personal hygiene before and after sex can help prevent the spread of sexual diseases. Wash your hands and body with soap before and after sex. Make sure you urinate after having sex to prevent a UTI. Fuel your body with healthy food and stay hydrated for the day.
The best practices for maintaining sexual health include washing the area once per day, drying the area after washing, wearing breathable and loose-fitting clothing, and avoiding scented detergents, sheets, soaps, gels, or tampons.
Sex and Your Emotional Health
Emotional Readiness
Assessing emotional readiness for sexual activity is essential to knowing if you are ready and comfortable with having sex with a partner. Ask yourself a few questions before you make the decision:
Why do I want to have sexual intercourse with my partner?
Am I comfortable with the surroundings?
Do I feel safe engaging in sexual activity with the partner(s)?
Understanding if you are ready and willing to have sex without any outside pressure is paramount to your safety and well-being. The impact that emotional well-being has on sexual health is often overlooked. Still, a negative mental or psychological state can make it hard to relax, lower libido levels, and harm self-esteem. Knowing coping strategies and self-evaluation methods can help you determine if you are in the right mind frame to have sex.
Managing Stress and Anxiety
Some of the most common sources of stress related to sex include performance anxiety, distractions, hormonal imbalances, depression, anxiety, or pressure, whether from yourself or outside influences.
Helpful techniques for managing sexual anxiety include:
Yoga or physical activity to help with the physical relationship with your body
Practicing mindfulness to reduce worries and anxieties
Journaling to write down your thoughts, feelings, and the root cause of your feelings
Therapy to talk about any concerns with a healthcare professional
Couples counseling with your partner(s)
Healthy Relationships
The main characteristics of a healthy sexual relationship include open and honest communication, trust, respect, consent, compromise, and exploration.
The importance of mutual respect and support in relationships cannot be understated. Mutual respect is crucial in sex because it allows for open communication, setting clear boundaries, creating a safe place for one another, and prioritizing the needs of all parties to achieve fulfilling sex.
Should You Seek Professional Help?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Signs and symptoms that warrant a medical advice diagnosis when it comes to an unhealthy relationship include:
Threatening behavior
Dishonesty
Jealousy
Manipulation
Control
Harassment
Betrayal
For those who are having trouble with sex, consider seeing a healthcare provider if you are having self-confidence issues, sexual dysfunction, intimacy concerns, or mismatched libido levels with your partner.
You can find a qualified sex therapist by viewing the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, asking your primary care doctor, or using referral platforms.
Therapy and Counseling
Sexual therapy and counseling help individuals gain a realistic viewpoint of what to expect from being intimate, identify any current concerns or issues that a partner may have with intimacy, and allow a deeper connection between partners. Obtaining advice, diagnosis, or treatment can best protect your emotions and physical space.
Individuals should find a licensed sex therapist or sex counselor through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. You can do so by looking at the AASECT Referral Directory, contacting a mental health organization, or getting a referral from a healthcare professional for a medically reviewed sex counselor.
Final Thoughts
Having a safe and healthy sex life is essential to overall health and wellness. Maintaining open and clear communication with one or multiple partners is key to feeling good about yourself, avoiding any concerning illnesses, enjoying intimacy, and figuring out what you really enjoy about sexual intercourse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a healthy sex routine?
A healthy sex routine involves:
Using safe sex habits (such as protection)
Focusing on emotional intimacy before physical intimacy
Having open communication
Eating a well-balanced diet
Seeking counseling or therapy if needed
What are normal sex habits?
Normal is different for everyone, but healthy sex habits include having proper sexual hygiene, talking about preferences/dislikes, and only having consensual sex with a partner.
How often does a healthy couple have sex?
On average, couples with a healthy sex life have sex once per week. A younger couple typically has sex more often, whereas couples over the age of 50 typically see the frequency of intimacy decline. However, it all depends on the couple’s preferences and needs — many couples have sex less frequently but still have a very fulfilling sex life.
Main image credit: Yan Krukau / Pexels
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
