Sexuality is an integral part of the human experience and plays a crucial role in people’s quality of life. We must keep in mind that sexuality does not refer only to sexual relations as such, but to a complex dimension of the human being that covers very diverse and broad topics such as sexual orientation, gender identity, self-esteem… Thus, a life Healthy sexuality does not only refer to the physical aspect, but also to the mental and emotional aspect. In this entry we tell you what factors contribute to achieving a healthy sexual life, and what benefits it can bring you.
What is a healthy sex life?
Simply put, a healthy sex life consists of having physical, psychological, emotional and social well-being around how we perceive and live our sexuality. This means, for example, being able to make decisions about our body in a free and informed way. However, it is important to note that a healthy sex life does not have a single, universal definition, and that each person and couple has their own needs, desires, and limits.
What are the positive effects of a healthy sexual life?
Having a healthy sex life has a lot of benefits in our lives. Among these are:
- Improved mental health: living in tune with ourselves can be a relevant factor in avoiding problems with anxiety, depression, and other difficulties.
- Improved sexual relationships: inevitably, having a healthy sexual life will mean that our sexual relationships are better, that we dare to innovate, that we let ourselves go more… In short, that we can feel more pleasure.
- Improved self-esteem, by feeling in tune with our body.
- Improvement of the relationship with the couple
How to have a healthy sex life?
- Physical health: freely deciding which contraceptive method to use so that unwanted pregnancies do not occur and that we cannot contract any STIs is an important part of healthy sexuality. Thus, for example, many women start taking the pill due to social pressure or pressure from their partner, even though it may make them feel bad. Making these types of decisions independently and by consensus is the most important thing. In addition, practicing frequent physical activity and trying to follow a balanced diet can have a significant impact on sexual function.
- Mental health: factors such as anxiety or depression can harm other areas of our lives. In order to enjoy our sexuality in its entirety, it is important to work on other areas of our life previously.
- Knowledge: Sexual education plays a crucial role in developing a healthy sexual life. Thus, having the necessary knowledge about issues such as physiology and sexual psychology contributes to making informed decisions. Sexual knowledge is not just about knowing the more technical aspects, but also about understanding the diversity of sexual experiences and respecting individual emotions, both our own and those of others.
- Self-knowledge: knowing what we like, what we don’t, what we want at any given moment, how our body works, etc. It is very relevant to our sexual health. Exercises such as self-exploration or self-observation can be very useful for this. Working on accepting ourselves allows us to eliminate many barriers that can hinder our sexual life.
- Limits: being aware of our limits, as well as transmitting them to other people, is crucial to enjoying a full and healthy sexual life.
- Communication: communicating aspects about how we feel, what we want, what fantasies we have, etc., as well as listening to other people, contributes to creating a safe space where we can feel comfortable and not judged. Good communication is relevant to building a space of intimacy and emotional connection.
- Respect: Mutual respect is a fundamental component of any healthy relationship. Respecting your partner’s limits and decisions, as well as being aware of your partner’s needs and desires, is essential to maintaining a fulfilling sexual life. The absence of respect can lead to tensions and conflicts that very negatively affect the quality of sexual life.
Finally, when having a long-term relationship, as is often the case in marriage, variability and flexibility can be key elements of a healthy sex life. This implies having the ability to adapt to the changing needs of oneself and one’s partner, since individual sexuality constantly evolves. Thus, experimenting with new practices that both of you want, trying to maintain that space of intimacy where you can express yourself and grow, contributes to maintaining a more diverse and less monotonous sexual life, since, sometimes, the lack of variety can lead to dissatisfaction.
In conclusion, a healthy sex life is the result of a combination of factors around self-knowledge, emotional connection and communication with the other person. Thus, as we have seen, the quality of sexual life is not measured in terms of frequency or intensity, but in the ability of individuals and couples to experience intimacy and satisfaction in an environment of respect. Cultivating a healthy sex life requires ongoing effort and commitment, but the benefits in terms of well-being and happiness are long-lasting and significant.
References
Brown, D., Sarah, K., & Susannah, S. J. (2009). Sex, sexuality, sexting, and sex ed. Integrated Research Services, 16, 12-17.
Lefkowitz, E. S., & Vasilenko, S. A. (2014). Healthy sex and sexual health: New directions for studying outcomes of sexual health. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 2014(144), 87-98.
Xavi Ponseti
Col. Nº B-03138