Forget Cough Drops: Why Having Sex Might Help You Avoid The Common Cold
Having trouble staving off a cold or that nasty winter flu? Easy. Just have sex.
Like an undercover cop ready to reveal his identity during a drug bust, flu season has been lurking around just waiting to spread. Who wants that? No, not getting busted by the cops — okay, that too — but that inevitable winter sniffle.
The other day, my Facebook friend posted an article that reported sex as a way to avoid the flu. Sex is one countermeasure (along with a myriad of others) for avoiding the flu, but hey, it allows you to kill two birds with one stone.
Regardless, trying out this tactic is a whole bunch more fun than a more conventional option (like echinacea, exercising or drinking a glass of OJ).
Another point to consider: the flu shot actually injects you with a small dosage of the virus, meaning it can give you the flu. So, check out the following reasons getting frisky can keep you healthy:
1. Sex boosts the immune system
Psychologists Carl Charnetski and Francis Brennan of Wilkes University, Pennsylvania found that those who have sex once or twice a week have a higher level of Immunoglobulin A (IgA), a major antibody that fights colds.
2. Sex reduces stress; stress causes colds
The common cold is one of the many symptoms of stress. Greatist reported that “researchers found daily intercourse for two weeks led to cell growth in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that keeps stress levels under control."
3. You’ll get a good night’s sleep
Something that factors into your illness: not getting enough sleep. Sexpert Laura Berman says that we’re sleep-deprived and overfilling our days. She recommends sex as a remedy — it releases endorphins and will help you sleep.
4. It's a form of exercise
The Associated Press reported "…moderate exercise increases the recirculation of important immune cells, especially from bone marrow, the lungs and spleen. It has the effect of cleaning up the body."
5. It’s natural
Forget those manufactured supplements like Emergen-C, Airborne and over-the-counter pills. Sex is not only free, but it’s an all-natural treatment. Definitely worth a try, right?
Top Photo Courtesy: We Heart It
