Sex in Your Senior Years
Yes, this means you.
Lets just put it out there. Sex is good for you. Either on your own or with someone you feel close to.
Remember that everybody’s idea of sex is somewhat different. You may not have had sexual relations for a long time. You may still be having sex regularly, whatever that means to you. Having the right amount of sex is a different idea for every one of us.
I came from a generation that as you got a little older you didn’t discuss sex or any concerns with it. Some people weren’t able to talk about it with their partner. It is a subject that can be very difficult to discuss with anyone, even your doctor. It doesn’t have to be.
I think the main reason why we have problems is that we hold such high expectations with ourselves and with others. Women can get a break if they are just not feeling it. We have all had times where we ‘faked it’ but men in the past did not have that luxury.
We seem to forget that our brain is our biggest sexual organ. Women, in particular, lose sight of this. We are tired, we are still thinking about issues at work that upset us, we hope that our two years old will sleep through the night, we still need to lose that baby weight, still no clean nightie, and you want to have sex now!
Now as seniors we are thinking who would want to have sex with me at this age. All my wrinkles, saggy boobs, and excess weight. We think ‘how could they want sex with me now. I look a mess.’
Men think about this differently. They don’t see everything we see. They see the warm body they love or they see the warm body they are with. Is it nicer with romance and candles? Well sure, but that can’t happen every night. We are talking about real life.
We can set up special dates and yes you can have the romance but isn’t it nice at the end of the day to be with someone that cares.
Your health
One of the reasons to stay healthy is that it can impact your sex life and sexual enjoyment. Chronic health conditions such as heart disease or arthritis can make sex and intimacy more challenging. Not impossible, but more challenging. Talk with your doctor.
Benefits of sex
- Builds emotional intimacy, not just physical intimacy.
2. Improves cardiovascular health.
3. Increases immunity.
4. Reduces stress. People that can handle stress better are happier people
5. Relieves pain. The endorphins that are produced during sex can actually reduce aches and pains.
6. Promotes longevity.
7. Increases blood circulation.
8. You sleep better.
9. Improves overall fitness. FYI — Half an hour of lovemaking burns more than 80 calories.
10. Reduces the chances of depression. Just like other exercises, sex also prompts the brain to release feel-good chemicals, which increases the levels of serotonin, and this helps reduce the chances of getting depression.
When you look online for some advice be very careful that you are looking at a reputable site. A good site that I can recommend is on the Mayo Clinic:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/sexual-health/art-20046698
One final piece of advice — Take care of yourself and stay as healthy as you can. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, don’t drink too much alcohol, and definitely don’t smoke.
The last thing to remember is that we were meant to enjoy sexual relations as we age. We may complain that our vision starts to go as we age but that is God’s way to allow us to feel good about how we look. Don’t forget that our partner probably has the same vision issues.
