At least that’s the suggestion of one study that included 159 married employees who were surveyed daily for two weeks. Those who had sex were in a better mood at work the next day, which led to higher levels of work engagement and job satisfaction.
The beneficial effects that sex had on work were equally strong for men and women and lasted for at least 24 hours.
“We make jokes about people having a ‘spring in their step,’ but it turns out this is actually a real thing and we should pay attention to it,” study author Keith Leavitt, an associate professor at Oregon State University’s College of Business says.
“Maintaining a healthy relationship that includes a healthy sex life will help employees stay happy and engaged in their work, which benefits the employees and the organizations they work for,” he said in a university news release.
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The study in the Journal of Management also showed that work-related stress harms employees’ sex lives, a finding that highlights the importance of leaving work at the office, Leavitt shares.
“This is a reminder that sex has social, emotional and physiological benefits, and it’s important to make it a priority,” he adds. “Just make time for it.”
Leavitt noted that sex triggers the release of hormones involved in feelings of reward, social bonding and attachment, which means sex is a natural mood elevator.
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This is more evidence of the importance of a good work-life balance.
“Technology offers a temptation to stay plugged in, but it’s probably better to unplug if you can,” Leavitt says. “And employers should encourage their employees to completely disengage from work after hours.”
Tips for a healthy sex life
Schedule time for sex
“Some people hear that and think, ‘Well that’s not really romantic, how much can your partner want you if they have to schedule it?’” says Emily Nagoski, PhD, a sex educator and author of the best-selling book “Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life”.“But is there anything we do in our lives that’s important to us that we don’t schedule?”
Nagoski says scheduling sex will give you and your partner time to eliminate any stressors that are affecting your sex life such as work-related stress.
Avoid the ‘chasing dynamic’
“It can feel scary when your partner continues to say ‘no.’ What are they saying no to? Are they just saying no to the sex or are they saying no to all of me?” Nagoski adds.
In this case, Nagoski says you shouldn’t assume because in most cases he or she may simply be overwhelmed, and chasing them will only add to the stress they are already dealing with.
“It absolutely is not the case that a partner is saying no because they’re not attracted,” she explains. “Usually, it begins in a place of ‘I’m just stressed out and exhausted and I’m not interested right now,’ and then it turns into what I call ‘the chasing dynamic.’”
Take the focus off sex
Temporarily taking the focus off sex and instead focusing on building intimacy reduces stress levels and get you both in the mood to have sex, according to Nagoski.
“It reinforces the bond and the idea that you are safe and affectionate with this person,” she says. “It also creates physical affection in the relationship that is not initiation.”