How you feel mentally and emotionally can have a significant impact on how you feel in the bedroom. Exercise releases feel-good hormones called endorphins, which are natural painkillers and mood boosters. Regular exercise also has an effect on your stress levels by reducing the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. So it is no wonder that when you stop exercising, you might feel anxious, stressed, and even sad. In fact, the science behind what happens to your mental health when you exercise points toward preventing depression and even treating mild depression and anxiety.
Moreover, exercise makes people feel good about themselves, and that kind of confidence goes a long way when it comes to sex. A 2018 study published in the journal Sexual Medicine Reviews found that positive body image accompanied regular exercise, which could contribute toward sexual well-being. It also helps that exercise builds physical endurance, and this can be a big win when you’re getting intimate with your partner. Being physically fit can reduce muscle soreness after sex and may even add more minutes to your bedroom activities.
Both men and women have testosterone in their systems; this hormone plays an important role when it comes to sex drive. Exercise can boost testosterone levels in a few ways. For starters, there’s a brief and immediate boost in testosterone levels post-workout. Additionally, exercise can improve testosterone levels by helping you maintain a healthy body weight.