What if, in your next meeting with your boss, he or she recommended that you dedicate some on-the-clock hours toward sex in order to improve your work performance? According to Forbes, that’s exactly what one Swedish manager did for 550 employees recently, and a new study backs up the idea that more sex at home might be exactly what you need to kill it at work.
The study, which followed 159 married employees over a two-week period, found that those who made sex a priority at home unknowingly gave themselves a next-day advantage at work. The researchers discovered that people who have active, healthy sex lives tend to like their jobs more, experience an increase in work performance, and actually be more productive.
“We make jokes about people having a ‘spring in their step,’ but it turns out this is actually a real thing and we should pay attention to it,” said Dr. Keith Leavitt, an associate professor in OSU’s College of Business and expert in organizational behavior and management.
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If you look at the science, it makes sense: Sex triggers the release of dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter, as well as oxytocin, the so-called “cuddle hormone” that we associate with love and affection. This rush of chemicals makes sex a natural, instantaneous mood booster (in case you hadn’t heard already). And its benefits extend well into the next day — whether that means the ability to concentrate on boring budget reports or the desire to bond with your boss or co-workers over watercooler chat.
Unfortunately, the researchers also found that bringing work-related stress home can negatively impact your sex life. Sure, it sounds obvious, but it’s a good reminder that once you walk in the door after work, it’s smart to silence your phone, set thoughts about your to-do list aside and focus on QT with your S.O. “Sex has social, emotional, and physiological benefits, and it’s important to make it a priority,” Leavitt said in a report. “Just make time for it.”
And if you find yourself feeling guilty about enjoying yourself rather than drafting that meeting agenda, remember that prioritizing sex may be just as good for your career as being glued to your laptop — or even better.
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