Metro53 - LONDON: Regular marital intimacy can play a significant role in improving mental well-being and reducing stress, according to relationship and wellness experts.
Speaking to media outlets, relationship expert Tracy Sainsbury said that engaging in intimate relations around three times a week could provide notable mental and physical health benefits for many couples. She noted that such interactions may help lower stress levels and contribute to overall emotional well-being.
According to the expert, intimacy stimulates the release of several hormones associated with happiness and positive mood, including serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. These chemicals are known to promote feelings of relaxation, emotional connection and satisfaction.
Ms Sainsbury suggested that couples who significantly reduce or completely stop physical intimacy may face a greater risk of experiencing emotional difficulties, including stress, anxiety and symptoms associated with depression.
Health specialists, however, emphasise that there is no universal standard for how often couples should engage in intimate relations. They note that relationship satisfaction depends on mutual understanding, emotional connection, communication and the individual needs of both partners.
Experts also stress that while physical intimacy can support mental health, it should not be viewed as a standalone treatment for clinical depression or serious mental health conditions, which may require professional medical care and counselling.
The discussion comes amid growing interest in the connection between emotional relationships, physical health and psychological well-being, with researchers continuing to examine how healthy personal relationships can contribute to overall quality of life.
