6 intriguing reasons orgasms could help you get a better night’s sleep

Getting intimate with a partner could be the secret to a good night’s sleep. In fact, there’s more than one reason why an orgasm could improve the quality of your shut-eye.

When you think of the benefits of a satisfying sex life, sleep might not be on your list. Indeed, a survey found that being “too tired” is the most common reason Brits give for a lack of intimacy. 

Yet, an orgasm could be the key to improving your sleep and feeling refreshed in the morning. Here are 6 intriguing reasons why.

1. It boosts your oxytocin levels

Oxytocin, sometimes known as the “love hormone” is associated with lower levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. The good news is that when you orgasm, it boosts your oxytocin levels, so you’re more able to relax and disconnect from the stresses of the day.

James Wilson, “The Sleep Geek” at Mattress Online, explains the release of oxytocin can “promote a sense of tranquillity, putting us in the relaxed state we need to fall asleep”.

2. Your levels of serotonin will rise

The euphoric feeling during an orgasm is partly down to your levels of serotonin rising, aka the “happy hormone”. 

But boosting your mood isn’t the only effect serotonin has. This neurotransmitter plays a role in forming melatonin, the hormone that’s primarily responsible for inducing sleep and regulating your sleep cycles. So, you might find you can drift off quicker and be more restful.

Timing could be important though. While serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, it sometimes promotes wakefulness initially.

3. Prolactin prevails after an orgasm

Yet another hormone that increases when you orgasm is prolactin. 

You might associate prolactin with the hormone that’s responsible for milk production in those who have given birth. Prolactin rises as you near bedtime and orgasms can also elevate levels for up to an hour afterwards.

Prolactin not only helps you fall asleep quicker, but could help improve the quality of your sleep and mean you rest uninterrupted for longer. 

This is due to prolactin inducing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep – the cycle of sleep that’s thought to play an important role in memory and learning. Interestingly, prolactin levels are typically higher in those who achieve orgasms with a partner.

4. A satisfying sex life could release physical tension

Daily life can be stressful and you might feel physically tense. This can make it difficult to unwind and get into the right state of mind to fall asleep.

The good news is that orgasms help to relax muscles throughout your entire body to provide a deep sense of relaxation.

5. Orgasms could act as natural pain relief

If you’re experiencing discomfort or pain, you can find yourself tossing and turning for hours as you try to fall asleep. Endorphins are released during sexual activity, especially during an orgasm, and may act as a natural pain reliever, while also lowering stress and improving your sense of wellbeing.

6. It could enhance your mood and how comfortable you feel

Finally, being close to a partner and connecting emotionally could enhance your mood and mean you’re more comfortable sharing a bed.

A deeper connection with your partner can provide a sense of emotional security that leads to you feeling more relaxed and achieving a better quality of sleep.

The essential tips for boosting your chances of better sex and orgasms

So, if an orgasm could improve your sleep quality, what can you do to make achieving the big O and restful sleep more likely? Here’s the essential tips you need to know.

1. Manage your physical activity

While orgasms could help you get a good night’s sleep, The Sleep Geek warns that they could be an adrenaline boost as well.

James said: When inducing orgasms, aim to keep physical activity moderate; being too vigorous can trigger sleep-reducing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. I’d recommend aiming for a performance level of about 2 out of 5—nothing too physically intense, as I’m sure we’re all capable of that!”

2. Create the perfect environment

Nothing quite kills libido (and sleep!) like a messy space. So, keep clutter and mess in your bedroom to a minimum and ensure everything has its place.

Consider the environment too, adding lamps, candles, or relaxation-inducing scents could curate a space that gets you in the mood. Don’t forget about the furniture either, investing in a new or larger mattress, and pillows and duvet that’s comfortable whether you’re sleeping or getting up to other activities could make all the difference.

3. Remember, three’s a crowd

While plenty of animal lovers don’t mind sharing their bed with their beloved pet, it could be harming your sleep quality and make spending some one-on-one time with your partner awkward. You don’t have to banish your pet from the room entirely, but setting some boundaries, such as giving them a pet bed or only allowing them in at certain times, could be helpful.

4. Leave external stress at the bedroom door

Stress is the enemy of sleep and getting intimate. So, try to leave external stresses at the bedroom door as much as possible and focus on winding down. One useful way of doing this is putting your phone on do not disturb mode.

You might want to try creating your own relaxing bedtime routine as well. Find what works for you, whether that involves drinking a herbal tea, doing some gentle stretching, or reading a book.

5. Communicate with your partner

A positive sex life is often linked to how connected you feel with your partner. So, scheduling some time before bed to debrief, decompress, and reconnect could help you both get on the same page.