It’s sooooo good for you

When Janet asked me to write about sex for this issue, I thought she was kidding. When I discovered she was serious, I believe I actually blushed.

When I was growing up (a good Catholic girl, with an incredibly strict father), sex was a word never spoken. I’m pretty sure I didn’t know what it really meant until I was 19. (blush, blush, blush.) Although I didn’t go on my first Dad-approved date until the night of my senior prom, I did sneak in a kissing session or two at the movies with a really cute boy. (I was supposed to be with my girlfriends – sure, Dad!)

Sex, however is nothing to be ashamed of, and when it comes to your health, it’s certainly worth talking about.

My research found that “sex” is not clearly defined, which might be why our politicians have had so much trouble knowing if they actually HAD sex. I’m assuming that it means the act of intercourse (knowing someone in the “biblical sense”) or, as I prefer to call it, making love.

So let’s talk about how safe sex (don’t forget your personal protective equipment) can improve our health.

From a public health standpoint, there might be fewer unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases if we could be more proactive in this area. Ignorance can be dangerous in this area, so “talk about it, please!”

For those dealing with infertility issues, sex 2-3 times a week increases your chances of making a baby because it increases sperm count. It seems the longer the sperm sit in the testes, the less viable it is. Give it a break though, as the count goes down again with daily ejaculation. (blush.) Another vote for moderation.

Science also says that sex:

• Decreases the incidence of headaches (No more excuses, please!)
• Improves self esteem (It’s so nice to be appreciated and wanted.)
• Decreases the rate of endometriosis
• Improves prostate health
• Calms your nerves
• Releases endorphins (Like a runner’s high.)
• Improves relationships by creating a greater connection
• Decreases certain symptoms of menopause and improves elasticity and lubrication (Oooh, baby!)
• Burns calories (Now we’re talking!)

According to the web site www.bestkisses.com, kissing activates the facial muscles, giving them an organic workout. Maybe it’s like a natural face lift and all those teenagers along the malecón are really in their 40s?!

Kissing also reduces stress and anxiety by stopping the noise in your mind and activating a number of healthy hormones.

Joy Davidson, PhD, psychologist and clinical sexologist, says, “While kissing may be nature’s way of opening the door to the sexual experience, it also has all that lusciousness we need to pull us out of the mundane and the ordinary and take us into moments of the extraordinary.”

It might even make you live longer: One study showed that getting a kiss good-bye each morning adds five years to your life.

It may be that the simple act of touch makes us healthier. Numerous studies show that children who’ve been neglected and were not lovingly held and caressed tend to be more aggressive and even violent. Lab animals that are petted thrive, in comparison with those that are never touched. Hugs have been shown to lower blood pressure and bring about a sense of calmness.

Perhaps it’s the sense of well-being and connection we feel while kissing, hugging or making love that contributes the most to our general health and well-being.

OK already, enough talking…(blush, blush, blush!)

Maureen “Mo” Geraghty M.A., a certified yoga teacher and Exercise Kinesiologist, has been teaching for over 20 years. She offers classes for all levels in Centro and north of the marina. For more info: www.mazatlanyoga.com or 044-669-159-1655.