

{"id":21368,"date":"2018-01-30T11:15:25","date_gmt":"2018-01-30T11:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=21368"},"modified":"2026-03-31T07:07:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T07:07:04","slug":"truths-about-the-importance-of-sex-in-a-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/truths-about-the-importance-of-sex-in-a-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"Importance of Sex in a Healthy Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-47960 size-full\" title=\"Importance of Sex in a Healthy Relationship\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/importance-of-sex-in-a-healthy-relationship.jpg\" alt=\"Couple legs cover with white bed sheet\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you ever asked yourself <\/span><b>how important is sex in a relationship<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? or why sex is important in a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">relationship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? Well, you are not the first and won&rsquo;t be the last person to wonder about the importance of sex in marriage and relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&rsquo;s safe to say that one of the most important and talked-about topics when one speaks about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/love\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">love<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/is-sex-necessary-for-a-happy-marriage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">importance of sex in a relationship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It seems that it is hard to underestimate the benefits of adequate sexual relations in both brief and long-term romances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While we are aware of the relevance of sex for reproduction, sex is also important because, in a relationship, we need to express ourselves physically and emotionally, and we desire pleasure<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Say, for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/living\/4029262\/this-is-how-often-you-should-have-sex-if-you-want-to-stay-young\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">youthful appearance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to burning off calories, the act of sex has many benefits associated with it that enhances our lives mentally and socially. However, it is also a source of a range of insecurities and possible hurdles in a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To better understand the importance of physical relationship and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">intimacy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a relationship, let&rsquo;s look at some evident reasons for <\/span><b>how important is sex to a healthy relationship.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-The-obvious-connection\"><\/span>1. The obvious connection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are countless studies that associated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/make-your-partner-sexually-satisfied\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">satisfactory sexual life<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with happiness in a relationship. It is also a known fact that a satisfying sex life will increase happiness in a relationship. There are several reasons for this, some that are obvious, and some that are less apparent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One interesting<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/0956797617691361\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tried to pinpoint the exact source of the association between <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/counseling\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">marital and relationship satisfaction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and sex life. The authors revealed that even one single sexual act created something that they named an &ldquo;afterglow.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This sexual afterglow, or an increased level of <\/span><b>sexual satisfaction,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could possibly account for the partners&rsquo; increased relationship satisfaction. The afterglow lasts for about two days after having sex. And, interestingly, it seems to predict the couples&rsquo; satisfaction 6 months later!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, there is the other side of the story as well. Sexual desire usually diminishes over time. And since sex plays a vital role in the couples&rsquo; love life, it can become a source of frustration and disagreements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The level of interest in sex may differ for the partners in a relationship. When this happens, it is the other aspects of the relationship and the partners&rsquo; interaction that will decide how their <\/span><b>sexual relationship <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will evolve in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-21373 size-full\" style=\"font-size: 16px;\" title=\"importance of sex in a relationship\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/The-source-of-the-power-of-sex-to-increase-or-destroy-marital-satisfaction-is-affection.jpg\" alt=\"importance of sex in a relationship\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/h2>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-The-nuances-of-the-importance-of-sex-in-a-relationship\"><\/span>2. The nuances of the importance of sex in a relationship<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, <\/span><b>how important is sex?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A recent<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/0146167216684124\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by Debrot and colleagues revealed that sex contributes to a person&rsquo;s well-being on several levels. Interestingly, when compared to one&rsquo;s income, having sex once a week compared to having sex once a month had a greater positive effect than earning $75,000 compared to $25,000 a year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These researchers attempted to find out how sex is associated with life satisfaction and positive emotions. The findings might explain why sex can be both a bond that holds a couple together and a source of frustration and dissatisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It looks like the source of the power of sex to increase or destroy marital satisfaction is affection! It is not sex itself that causes changes in life satisfaction, as it appears, but it is the warmth and care of its foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, even though sex brings physical and physiological pleasure, these are not the roots of its contribution to one&rsquo;s well being.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rather, as Debrot and colleagues concluded, sex promotes a more affectionate, positive, and stronger connection with one&rsquo;s partner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you have <\/span><b>sex with your partner,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your positive emotions towards him or her are bolstered. And the more you&rsquo;re having sex, the more such experiences you will have&mdash; these build-up towards a better and more <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/fulfilling-relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fulfilling relationship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-Honesty-equality-and-good-vibrations-to-improve-your-sex-life\"><\/span>3. Honesty, equality, and good vibrations to improve your sex life<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, one could conclude that to allow sex to contribute to your overall well-being and satisfaction in a romantic relationship. You actually need to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/things-couple-can-do-to-strengthen-a-marriage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">strengthen the <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">relationship&rsquo;s core.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That is, the positive effect and kindness should first be nurtured before sex can fulfill its function. Otherwise, unfortunately, both sexual life and the relationship might crumble and lose its shine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what is it that you can do to strengthen your relationship and<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/4-essential-tips-to-improve-physical-intimacy-in-a-marriage\/\"><b>improve your sex life<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(or maintain it)? As LaBier advises, there are three core aspects of any relationship that you should consider&ndash;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Honesty<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Equality<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good vibrations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In specific, there is a need for radical transparency, sharing the stage in the couples&rsquo; shared life, and nurturing the state of positive emotions, and being comfortable with each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/sex-tips-for-couples\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To have a good sex life<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, one that will endure the test of time, of familiarity, and of gradual diminishing of that initial infatuation, you need to start with being radically transparent with your spouse or a partner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without complete honesty about your inner desires, insecurities, and fears, it is hard to accomplish closeness in sex. You should also abandon your ego and the urge to get everything the way you want it to be in the relationship.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By practicing equality and mutuality, you will also learn to give instead of just take in sex.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amy Color has defined practical solutions based on decades of research with proven results. She shares her recipes for physical and emotional intimacy that foster deep secure connections in a respectful and entertaining way<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><br><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UkQ6FBltdYU\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, you need to <\/span><b>cherish your sexual energy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and focus on your partner as the object of your desire and find a way to preserve the longing in the face of all other obligations and problems. It will pay out.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever asked yourself how important is sex in a relationship? or why sex is important in a relationship? Well, you are not the first and won&rsquo;t be the last person to wonder about the importance of sex in marriage and relationships. It&rsquo;s safe to say that one of the most important and talked-about topics when one speaks about love is the importance of sex in a relationship. It seems that it is hard to underestimate the benefits of adequate sexual relations in both brief and long-term romances. While we are aware of the relevance of sex for reproduction, <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":630,"featured_media":47960,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[31],"tags":[2518],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21368"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/630"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21368"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21368\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118955,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21368\/revisions\/118955"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21368"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21368"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}