How Regular Sex Can Help Older People Look Younger: Expert Says Sex Is The Fountain Of Youth
An British expert is encouraging older people to swipe out their anti-aging cream for a consistent sexual partner. Psychologist Dr. David Weeks says that elderly people who have sex regularly look younger than their counterparts who are not sexually active, based on his research.
"My message is that lovemaking is good," Dr. Weeks told the British Psychological Society. "The stereotype of an elderly person is that when they get their pension and bus pass, they stop having sex and that's not true."
According to The Telegraph, Weeks claims that a consistent sex life can make older people look 5 to 7 years younger. The reason? Sex causes a release of endorphins, increases blood circulation to the heart and also causes human growth hormone to be released, which Weeks believes makes the skin look more elastic. As a result, sexually active older people have less wrinkles.
"Sexuality is definitely not the prerogative of younger people and nor should it be," said Weeks.
Weeks' research involved asking men and women a series of questions about their sex lives. The ones who looked younger were having sex 50 percent more often than many of the other survey participants. People in the 40 to 50 age range who had sex about three times a week rather than twice appeared visibly younger.
Dr. Weeks is not alone in believing that sex has several health benefits. Medical Daily reported just last month about the benefits of sex - specifically morning sex. Researchers at the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction found that morning sex improves immunity, reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease and improves the tone and texture of your skin and hair.
"We also found that sexual satisfaction not only is a stress reliever but impacts intimacy. Taking a vacation together, going on a date night a week, taking care of yourself, exercising," said Laura Berman, the director of the Berman Women's Wellness Center of Beverly Hills. "All of that will do great things for your stress levels, to alleviate depression, to enhance your relationship, which really enhances your quality of life and your sense of wellbeing, which will all contribute to your sleep."
As for 59-year-old Weeks? He's just happy to share his findings. "Sexual satisfaction is a major contributor to quality of life, ranking at least as high as spiritual or religious commitment and other morale factors, so more positive attitudes towards mature sex should be vigorously promoted," he said.