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How Sex Therapy Helps Ailing People Enjoy Better Health

Dr Laura Berman, a sex therapy for 18 years says that denying oneself the opportunity to enjoy physical intimacy robs them of the chance for a full and happy life. She further adds that the lack of intimacy can fray the fiber of any connection. For maintaining a healthy and fulfilling relationship, the importance of intimacy cannot be overstated for both genders. 

But why are we talking about it here?

The relationship between sexual intimacy and health outcomes, particularly in older adults, is a topic of interest and ongoing research. There is evidence to suggest that sexual activity can have positive effects on overall well-being, including mental and physical health. But the challenge for most people dealing with ailments is to fit in physical intimacy given their health conditions that demand taking a bunch of medicines and shuttling between physical therapies and doctor appointments. Experts have a way out. They recommend sex therapy. According to them, this therapy allows couples to connect on a deeper level, and foster communication, understanding, empathy, and passion.

Who Benefits the Most 

Andrologists acknowledge that people who have organic or physiological sexual problems like decreased blood flow to the penis leading to erectile dysfunction (ED) or vaginismus, (tightening of the vagina that makes intercourse painful), etc. need to resolve their issues through medications or surgical interventions. The therapy can help people with normal erectile function and the ones experiencing psychological blocks either due to social conditioning or other health conditions. 

For older couples who face situational sexual dysfunction due to monotony or stress, experts advise stimulating the brain by taking a break from the routine, going for a vacation, communicating more, and adding some form of excitement to their lives along with the following sex therapy exercises.

Best and Easy Sex Therapy Exercises

Andrologists insist on keeping it simple and understanding the nuances of sexual life. According to him, couples need the right information and guidance.

1. Communication and listening: This involves trying to rediscover each other ‘s likes and dislikes and the challenges faced in the relationship. Along with sharing the innermost feelings, one needs to listen carefully as their partner opens without interrupting, making them feel important, heard, and accepted.

2. Get physically closer: This Includes giving one another lingering hugs, caressing, a gentle touch on the arm, or holding hands. This simple practice fosters a sense of connection and reassurance, making the physical aspect of your relationship more fulfilling.

3. Relaxation and stress reduction: These are the key factors in forging intimacy. Exercises such as soul gaze and synchronized breathing, are very effective.

(a.) Soul gaze involves looking lovingly into the partner’s eyes for some time by facing each other. This exercise helps concentrate on the spouse’s energy and change how one feels about them, through relaxation.

(b.) Synchronized breathing involves partners sitting facing each other, closing their eyes, and breathing in and out as deeply and slowly as possible. The exercise helps in fostering intimacy by reducing stress.

A study published by Cell Reports Medicine(an open-access journal) in 2023, on how breathwork produces greater improvement in mood, a reduction in respiratory rate, and negative emotions( including anxiety) found that 90% of the participants reported positive experiences during the breathing exercises

4. Exploring each other’s bodies: A non-judgmental exploration helps partners rediscover their partners’ preferences that may have changed over the years and rebuild a foundation of trust and vulnerability.  Learning the body’s sexual anatomy is equally important. The human sexual response cycle details the phases of sexual activity, explains how the body works sexually, and which factors control the sexual activity in the body.

Challenges Faced by Couples

People hesitate to do the work and look for an easier way out and people with severe psychological problems may benefit better from psychiatric intervention than sex therapy exercises. Some couples face challenges in doing the exercises correctly and for the right duration. They fail to understand the significance until they start seeing an improvement and usually get distracted.