When It Comes to Intimacy, Quality is More Important Than Quantity

You’ve seen the headlines and maybe even chatted about it with your partner during a cozy night in: more intimacy means more happiness, right? Well, hold on a second! Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have uncovered that the relationship between sexual activity and happiness isn’t as straightforward as it seems.

The Study

In a groundbreaking study, researchers examined the link between how often couples engage in sex and their overall happiness. They split 128 heterosexual couples, aged 35 to 65, into two groups. The first group simply kept track of their sexual experiences—frequency, preferences, and mood—without any additional instructions. The second group was told to double their sexual encounters and then report back on their feelings.

Findings

Interestingly, the couples who increased their sexual frequency reported a slight decline in happiness. Lead researcher Dr. Mark Thompson noted that while he still believes a fulfilling sex life is beneficial for relationships, being pressured to have more sex can actually dampen desire and joy.

Anyone who has gone through the stress of trying to conceive might relate to this idea. It’s tough to feel passionate when sex feels more like a chore dictated by schedules and medical advice. Dr. Thompson expressed a desire to redesign the study to inspire couples to initiate intimacy in a more natural and enjoyable way, perhaps by creating romantic settings or using cozy sheets.

Main Takeaway

The main takeaway here is that having sex just because you feel obligated to may not increase your happiness. Just like with many things in life, quality is what truly matters when it comes to intimacy. But hey, if you can find a way to balance both, that’s even better!

Further Insights

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Conclusion

To sum it up, focusing on the quality of your intimate moments can lead to a happier relationship, rather than just trying to increase the number of times you connect physically.