Intimacy Before Bedtime Could Be Key to Better Sleep, Expert Reveals

If you struggle to fall asleep at night, engaging in intimacy before bedtime might be the solution for a full night's rest. It is not merely the physical exertion that induces sleepiness; sex with a loved one triggers the production of positive hormones that can lull you into a peaceful slumber.

The Hormonal Connection Between Sex and Sleep

With Valentine's Day approaching, Dr Kristen Holmes, a psycho-physiologist, has shed light on why sex and sleep are so closely linked. 'In some ways, sex is similar to alcohol in that "one drink" can loosen you up, creating the conditions for intimacy and relaxation,' she explained to The Telegraph.

'From arousal to orgasm, humans release a coordinated mix of neurochemicals which lead to pleasure, bonding and feelings of trust. These peak when we have a sexual climax.'

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These chemicals include:

Oxytocin, often called the 'love hormone', which reduces the stress hormone cortisol.
Serotonin, a neurotransmitter known as a 'feel-good' chemical that promotes relaxation and enhances mood.
Prolactin, released at orgasm in both men and women, which temporarily lowers arousal and fosters a sense of well-being and relaxation.

'So sex and sleep really are intertwined: the better the sex, the more sleep you'll get and vice versa,' Dr Holmes emphasised.

Recent Studies Confirm the Sleep Benefits of Sexual Activity

A growing body of research highlights the numerous health advantages of sexual activity. A 2023 review of 43 studies, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found a significant correlation between sleep quality and duration and the frequency of sexual encounters.

In a pioneering experiment last year, digital sleep trackers were used to measure the impact of sexual activity on sleep in participants' own homes, rather than in a laboratory setting. The findings revealed that individuals who engaged in sex or self-pleasure just before bedtime were far less likely to wake up shortly after falling asleep.

Although the Australian researchers could not pinpoint the exact reason, they hypothesised that the post-orgasmic surge of feel-good hormones contributed to a better night's sleep. Notably, they observed that the sleep benefits of intimacy appeared to be particularly pronounced for women.

Sleep Tracker Data Provides Concrete Evidence

Participants in the study wore sleep tracking devices that monitored various sleep metrics, including the time taken to fall asleep, total sleep duration, and nighttime awakenings. The data showed that on nights when volunteers engaged in sexual activity, they were awake for an average of only 16 minutes during the night.

In contrast, on nights without sexual activity, they were awake for nearly 23 minutes on average. Experts also noted an improvement in sleep efficiency—the total time spent asleep in bed—which increased by two percentage points to 93.4%, indicating a more restful night.

Writing in the journal Sleep Health, the authors pointed out that the positive impact of any form of sexual activity on sleep seemed to be stronger for women. This challenges the long-standing stereotype that men tend to fall asleep after orgasm while women remain more alert.

The study found that women slept longer and experienced fewer awakenings throughout the night following both solo and partnered sexual activities.

Insights into the Average Briton's Sex Life

Understanding the context of sexual activity across different age groups can provide further insight. Recent data on the average Briton's sex life reveals varying percentages of individuals who have had sex in the last three weeks: